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ETHAN ALLEN 

OF 

GEEEN MOUNTAIN FAME. 




Kinney's Heroic Statue of 
ETHAN ALLEN 



Ethan Allen 



OF GREEN MOUNTAIN FAME 



A HERO OF THE REVOLUTION 



By Charles Walter Brown, A.M. 

Author of "Nathan Hale." "John Paul Jones," "La Fayette," "Paul 
Revere," "Pulaski," Etc., Etc. 



"The cause 1 was gngaged in, I ever viewed worthy 
hazarding my life for, nor was I, in the most critical 
moments of trouble, sorry that I engaged in it-" 

—Ethan Allen. 



J } 3 , >^ 

ILLUSTRAT^P , 



3 : ' ' 3 ' J 3 -" 3 



Chicago 

M. A. DONOHUE & CO. 

4C7-429 Dearborn St. 



in^Ql 



A ,1 






THF LIBRARY OF 
COMGRES8, 

Ts«r) CfiPtBe ReCSBIVED 

OCT. 13 ?902 

nofVBIOHT ENTRY 

C» ASSa. XXa No 
COPY B. ' 



Copyriglit 1902 
M. A. Doi^oHUE & Co. 
Chicago. 



This Volume Is Dedicated 

To 

My Mother. 



39 



BY THE SAME AUTHOR: 

JOHN PAUL JONES 

OF NAVAL FAME 

12mo, Cloth, 272 Pages. Illustrated. $1.00 . 



This biography of a patriot by Charles Walter Brown 
is well worthy a place in the library of the youth of our 
land. . . . It is simple and dignified and may be read 
by old and young with interest.— T/ie Bookseller. 

Certainly John Paul Jones during his life furnished 
enough material for a host of historians— and it has been 
used to pood advantage by Mr. Brown. The publication is 
a careful and commendable one.— Chicago Journal. 

" You have done your work well. , You excel in the 
narrative. I wish this book could be read by every youth 
in the land. All your books are read with interest and 
profit by the students of McKendree."- M. H. Chamberlin, 
LL.D., President McKendree College, Lebanon, 111. 

Charles Walter Brown, author of " Nathan Hale," 
"Paul Revere," and other histories of noted men has 
brought out a life of John Paul Jones. The book deals 
principally with the incidents in the life of the famous 
sailor so far as they helped to make the naval history of 
the United States. In order, however, to make the narra- 
tive complete, Mr. Brown has given a brief account of the 
adventures of Paul Jones under other flags, and has re- 
produced some correspondence passing between the doughty 
sea fighter and the great men and women of his time. 
These serve to thow the light on all sides of his character 
and show that from whatever direction he was approached 
his love of liberty stood out as the predominating trait.— 
Chicago Tribune. 



M. A. DONOHUE & CO. 
407-429 Dearborn St., Chicago. 



CONTENTS. 

Chapter Page 

9 



Introduction .... 

I. Early Life of Ethan Allen 

II. The New Hampshire Grants . 

III. Controversy Concerning Claims 

IV. Reward for his Apprehension 
V. Defying the Authorities 

VI. Beginnings of the Revolution 

VII. The Capture of Fort Ticonderoga . 

VIII. Carried a Prisoner to England 

IX. Return to America 

X. Scientific Barbarity of Great Britain 

XI. Release from Captivity . 

XII. A Counter Proclamation 

XIII. Admission of Vermont into the Union 

XIV. Incidents, Anecdotes, Adventures . 

XV. Character — Religious Views — Death 

XVI. Correspondence, State Papers, Docu 

ments 

XVII. The Allen Family 



13 

17 

33 

41 

59 

70 

83 

101 

115 

135 

151 

175 

199 

211 

226 

243 
265 



The mountains green that witnessed first his fame, 
From rocks to rocks resounded far his name. 
As the tough horn beam, (peering o'er those rocks) 
With gnarled grain the rising thunder mocks. 
Indignant ALLEN, manacled in vain, 
With soul revolting, bit the British chain." 

— Humphreys. 



ILLUSTRATIONS. 

I. Ethan Allen .... Frontispiece / 

II. Autograph Letter of Ethan Allen . .32 

III. General George Washington . . . 48 -^ 

IV. George the Third, King of England . . 64 
V. Old Fort Ticonderoga .... 80 • 

VI. Capture of Captain de la Place— Ticonderoga 96 

VII. Map of Saratoga and Vicinity . . .112 

VIII. Major-General Horatio Gates . . .128 

IX. General Benedict Arnold . . . 141 - 

X. Reading the Declaration of Independence 

to the army . . . . .160 

XI. GeneralJohn Burgoyne .... 176 

XII. Major John Andre . . . . 192 

Kill. General Sir Henry Clinton . . .208 

XIV. Admiral John Paul Jones . . . 224 ^ 

XV. General Lord Cornwallis . . .240 

XVI. Ira Allen 272 



INTRODUCTION. 

The American Revolution called forth the latent ener- 
gies of many individuals who, in a more peaceable state of 
political affairs, would have slumbered in obscurity and 
gone down to the grave unhonored and unknown. The 
very nature of the policy of Great Britain toward the 
Colonies — a policy every way tyrannical and oppressive — 
was calculated to call into action the efforts of every friend 
of liberty. It was an attempt to strip the people of their 
rights and manacle them with the fetters of slavery; 
but, thanks to the spirit which prevailed among our 
fathers — thanks to the patriotism which then warmed 
the hearts of the people — the mercenaries of a foreign 
power were unequal to the task of accomplishing the 
designs of their masters. 

True-hearted volunteers rallied to the calls of the 
brave and wise men of our country — Washington, Adams, 
Jefferson, Franklin, Lee, Patrick Henry — all imbued 
with a spirit worthy of the little band of Greeks which 
defended the pass of Thermopylae and their national 
liberty. They fought and conquered, these doughty 
sons of Columbia, and their declining years w^ere cheered 
with the knowledge that the country for which they had 
struggled so long and at such fearful sacrifices, was now 
free and her people prosperous and happy. That their 
deeds of heroism, privation and sufferings were gratefully 



10 Introduction. 

remembered by those who profited most in that hour of 
supreme national rejoicing, is best shown in the firm, 
unyielding spirit in which they flung defiance back upon 
the enemy in the immortal utterances of July 4, 1776. 

Perhaps no individual of equal advantages, and in 
the station he occupied, contributed more toward estab- 
lishing the independence of our country than Ethan 
Allen, of Vermont, unless it be the single exception 
of John Paul Jones. The mass of people among whom 
Allen resided were rude and uncultured, yet bold in 
spirit and insanely zealous in action. It consequently 
follows that no one but a man of strong, natural endow- 
ments — of much decision, energy and bravery — could 
control their prejudices and inclinations. Habit had 
rendered them familiar with danger and impatient of 
restraint; hence it followed that no policy, unless pro- 
ceeding from a source in which they had confidence, ever 
gained their approbation. 

Upon Ethan Allen whose courage was undoubted, 
and whose zealous devotion to their interests was uni- 
versally acknowledged, they implicitly relied. They had 
known him in adversity and in prosperity; they had 
weighed him and found nothing lacking. To friend or 
foe, he was ever the same Unyielding advocate of the rights 
of man and universal liberty, unconditionally and without 
reserve. Therefore the policy he upheld as beneficial 
to the common cause of American liberty, ever found 
strong and sufficient supporters among the friends with 
whom he associated and by whom he was best known. 
We see the same spirit manifested to a marked degree in 



Introduction. 11 

action as well as in all of the public utterances of Paul 
Jones, and it is even more manifest in the dying thoughts 
of Nathan Hale, who exclaimed, even with the noose 
about his neck: ''If I had ten thousand lives I would 
lay them down one at a time for my injured, bleeding 
country." 

From the commencement of our revolutionary strug- 
gle for liberty until victory crowned their efforts, Ethan 
Allen proved an ardent and strenuous supporter of the 
Cause. Whether in the field or council — whether at 
home, a freeman among the green hills of Vermont, or 
loaded with the manacles of despotism in a foreign coun- 
try, his spirit never quailed beneath the sneer of the 
Tory, or the harsh threats of insolent authority. A 
stranger to fear, his opinions were ever given without 
disguise or hesitation; and, as an enemy to oppression, 
he sought every opportunity to redress the wrongs of 
the oppressed. It is not to be supposed, however, that 
he was faultless. Like other men he had his faults — 
sins; like other men, he had his foibles — his weak- 
nesses; yet he was not willfully stubborn. When con- 
vinced of an erroneous position, he was ever willing to 
yield; but in theory, as in practice, he contested every 
inch of the ground and only yielded when inadequately 
supported or when he had no weapons left to meet his 
adversary. This trait in his character serves at least 
to prove that he was honest in his conclusions however 
erroneous the premises from which they were deduced. 

Ethan Allen was ever the zealous friend of the section 
in which he resided. He was ever the champion of the 



12 Introduction. 

humble citizen contending for the rights of individual 
property and human justice. In these offices of friendship 
and duty he had the confidence and esteem of his neigh- 
bors. He had evinced a spirit of patriotism and a love 
of freedom which warmly recommended him to the 
notice and the admiration of the most determined and 
able advocates of American liberty. That he should 
have been selected as a leader in an enterprise of the 
highest moment to the cause of liberty, was alike due 
to his principles, his services, his position, and to a con- 
stitution more rugged than any of his compatriots of the 
plains and malaria-infested inlets of the South. 

Fortunately, Colonel Allen took the precaution to 
furnish abundant material out of which an innumerable 
number of memoirs or biographical sketches could be 
evolved, and succeeding generations have the assurance 
that few writers who have attempted to portray the 
character of this eccentric mountaineer have dared to 
wander far from this hero's estimate of his own services 
or the part he played in defense of his country's liberty. 
No excuse is offered in the present instance for a liberal 
extraction from so authentic a source, for the author 
believes a biographical work is materially strengthened 
by permitting the subject of his sketch to add a line here 
and there, thus giving color as well as realism to the whole. 
The memory of so eminent, so unselfish, so devoted a 
patriot and defender of his country's flag as Colonel 
Ethan Allen of Green Mountain fame should be held 
in veneration by every American. 



ETHAN ALLEN 

OF 

GREEN MOUNTAIN FAME. 



CHAPTER I. 

EARLY LIFE OF ETHAN ALLEN. 

Little is known of the early life of Ethan Allen of 
Green Mountain fame — the hero of Ticonderoga. His 
father, Joseph Allen, was a native of Coventry, Tolland 
County, Connecticut, where the family had resided 
many years. It is indeed a singular coincidence that 
so small a village as Coventry, with scarcely a score of 
dwellings, should also have been the birthplace of Cap- 
tain Nathan Hale, the martyr spy, as well as other mem- 
bers of these two illustrious families which the Revo- 
lution called from obscurity to imperishable fame. 

Joseph Allen was a sober, industrious farmer, of kind 
and generous character. He was ready at all times to 
give liberally of his sustenance, which though not great 
was ample for his small but increasing family. After 
his marriage in 1736 to Mary Baker, the daughter of 
another Tolland County patriot, Allen removed to Litch- 
field, the county seat of a large and prosperous county 
of the same name, some hundred or more miles distant 
from his native village. He had bargained for the pur- 
chase of a large farm near Litchfield, but not finding 

13 



14 Ethan Allen of Green Mountain Fame. 

things to his liking, Allen with his young wife took up 
their abode on a smaller farm a short distance from town. 
It was here on the tenth of January, 1737, that their 
first child was born, and they named him Ethan after 
his paternal great-grandfather. 

Shortly after the birth of Ethan the family again 
moved farther west, settling near Cornwall on the west 
bank of the Housatonic river, not far from the present 
village of Ellsworth, Here other children were born, 
eight in all. Ethan, being the oldest, was followed in 
the order named by Heman, Lydia, Heber, Levi, Lucy, 
Zimri and Ira. All grew to maturity, for they were 
nature's children and had the good fortune to have been 
born where grass and flowers and trees grow untended; 
where waters gush from nature's own fountains and 
where the air is not polluted with gas from sewers 
and smoke from factory, mill and shop. The girls, mar- 
rying early, remained near the old homestead, while the 
boys, influenced by their elder brother Ethan, emi- 
grated northward and settled in the hills west of the 
Green Mountains, then a wilderness in southern Vermont. 
They were as bold and fearless a lot of patriots as were 
those intrepid scouts of the plains — Custer, Cody, Boone, 
Carson, Crocket and others whose names are synonyms 
for bold and enterprising deeds. 

About the year 1772 or '73 Ethan Allen, then about 
thirty-five years of age, moved to Bennington, a small 
but promising village in southwestern Vermont. Here 
he married his first wife who did not long survive. His 
second wife, after the death of Allen, married a Doctor 



Early Life of Ethan Allen. 15 

Penniman, a physician of prominence at Colchester, 
in upper Vermont. 

Ethan's education, like that of a great majority of 
the people of that period and locality, was qviite limited 
owing to the fact that few schools were then in operation 
and books were neither as plentiful nor as easy to pro- 
cure as they are today even in localities farther removed 
from commercial centers than was Vermont when Boston 
and New York were without railroads, telegraphs or 
telephones. The necessity of a thorough education 
was not deemed as essential to a successful career then 
as it is today. More attention was given to the moral 
welfare of a sturdy manhood and womanhood than to 
the acquirements and spread of scientific information 
which is of little value unless applied for the betterment 
of the race. Notwithstanding the difficulties under 
which these sturdy pioneers labored, a vast fund of prac- 
tical knowledge was possessed by the majority of settlers; 
knowing nothing of the ways of Dartmouth, Harvard 
or Yale — then in their prime — Ethan Alien possessed 
an abundance of rare common sense; he was a self-made 
man — a born leader of men. He was enterprising; he 
was ambitious; he sought fame — notoriety, and like 
Paul Jones, Lafayette and Casimir Pulaski, he early 
espoused the cause of the Colonies as the surest means 
of obtaining recognition for himself and freedom for 
the oppressed from all lands. He was endowed with 
rare observing faculties, which, on the clear and supe- 
rior mind that he possessed, led him to explore every 
avenue that led toward his cherished goal. 



16 Ethan Allen of Green Mountain Fame. 

A warm attachment to liberty, freedom, independ- 
ence — component parts of the elements, which, entering 
into the physical man and manifesting its assimilation 
in a frenzy, took on the aspect of a religion; the longing 
for these led Allen to freely and boldly express his con- 
tempt for the oppressive policy manifested by Great 
Britain toward her Colonies in America. ''Ever since 
I arrived at the state of manhood, and acquainted my- 
self with the general history of mankind, I have felt a sin- 
cere passion for liberty. The history of nations, doomed 
to perpetual slavery, in consequence of yielding up to 
tyrants their natural born liberties, I read with a sort 
of philosophical horror." 

To such sentiments as these, is to be attributed the 
zeal with which he sought on every occasion to instill 
into the minds of his associates an aversion for the polit- 
ical power by which the Colonies were controlled, and 
the people held in thraldom. Convinced that man was 
designed by nature to be the arbiter of his own actions, 
and that he was fitted to act for himself in matters con- 
cerning the affairs of the country in which he lived, he 
entertained, as he uniquely observes, a ''philosophical 
horror" of every species of tyranny and oppression. 
It is not singular, therefore, that the friends of the Amer- 
ican Revolution found in him an efficient leader ready 
for any emergency and any danger, and that wherever 
any evils existed affecting the interests of the commu- 
nity in which he lived, he was the first to apply the lan- 
guage of persuasion or the rod of correction. 



CHAPTER II. 

THE NEW HAMPSHIRE GRANTS. 

We hear little of Ethan Allen until we find him a 
resident in the New Hampshire Grants — now the State 
of Vermont. At the period of his removal to this terri- 
tory, a controversy was pending between' the authorities 
of New York and the settlers in relation to the validity 
of the original titles to their lands and other matters 
connected with their rights and property. The first set- 
tlements were made under grants from the Provincial 
Government of Massachusetts, but in the j^ear 1740, by 
a recommendation of King George II., the father and 
immediate predecessor of George the Third, through 
whose insane belief in the divine right of kings the Amer- 
ican colonies were lost to Great Britain, the territory 
was placed under the jurisdiction of New Hampshire. 
A correspondence, however, was opened between the 
Governors of New Hampshire and New York in which 
the governor of the latter commonwealth claimed exclu- 
sive jurisdiction over the territory. Notwithstanding 
this claim, the New Hampshire governor proceeded to 
make further grants, and by advice of his Council in the 
year 1760, ordered a survey of all lands lying on both 
sides of the Connecticut river for sixty miles above the 
former survey made by the Massachusetts Bay Colony. 

The applications for lands being numerous, other 

17 



18 Ethan Allen of Green Monntain Fame. 

surveys rapidly followed, and during the year 1761 about 
sixty townships were apportioned among the settlers. 
In return for these, the Governor was liberally paid by 
the settlers, receiving besides fees allowed by law, a res- 
ervation of five hundred acres in each township for him- 
self. This state of affairs excited the jealousies of the 
New York authorities, who determined if possible to 
check the operations of the Governor of New Hampshire. 
In view of this result the Lieutenant-Governor of New 
York issued a proclamation in which he referred to the 
grants made by Charles II. to the Duke of York in 1664, 
which embraced '^all the lands from the west side of the 
Connecticut river, on the east side of Delaware Bay to 
the most northerly parts below the St. Lawrence." 

Relying upon this title to the territory, he ordered 
the Sheriff of Albany County, New York, to furnish him 
with the names of all persons occupying lands on the 
west side of the Connecticut river under the New Hamp- 
shire Grants. In answer to this proclamation the Gov- 
ernor of New Hampshire issued a counter one in which 
the grant to the Duke of York was declared obsolete. 
The settlers were urged to be diligent and industrious, 
and not to fear the threats of the New York authorities. 
In this state of things, application was made by the Gov- 
ernor of New York, William Tryon, directly to the 
Crown, for a confirmation of New York's claims; and 
in consequence of this application, the king ordered 
that the ''Western bank of the Connecticut river from 
where it enters the province of Massachusetts Bay, as 
far north as the forty-fifth degree of north latitude, be 
the boundary line between the said provinces of New 



The New Hampshire Grants. 19 

Hampshire and Vermont." This decision surprised and 
irritated the settlers on the grants, yet it produced no 
serious alarm. It was merely regarded as extending the 
jurisdiction of New York over the territory without 
affecting in any manner their title to the lands upon 
which they had settled, for they had paid for them and 
obtained deeds to the same under the Crown. The Gov- 
ernor of New Hampshire at first remonstrated against 
the decision of the king in relation to extending the juris- 
diction of New York, but finally submitted to the change 
and issued a Proclamation to that effect. 

The Governor of New York, immediately after the 
decision of the Crown, proceeded to extend his jurisdiction 
over the New Hampshire Grants, dividing the territory 
into four counties and establishing courts of justice in 
each. The settlers were imperatively commanded to 
surrender their charters and repurchase their lands under 
grants from New York. A few complied with this order, 
but a large majority peremptorily refused. The lands 
of the latter were granted to others in whose names writs 
of ejectment were issued and judgments obtained in the 
New York courts. A determined resistance was made 
by the settlers against these unjust and arbitrary meas- 
ures, and for the purpose of rendering the resistance 
more effectual, a number of associations of the people 
were formed and a convention finally called composed 
of representatives from the different towns of the Green 
Mountain district. After much deliberation the con- 
vention appointed Samuel Robinson agent to go to London 
and represent to the king the grievances suffered by the 
settlers and to obtain a confirmation of the New Hamp- 



20 Ethan Allen of Green Mountain Fame. 

shire grants. The report of the agent was favorably 
received by the king: '^His Majesty was pleased with 
the advice of his Private Council, to approve thereof, 
and doth hereby strictly charge, require and command, 
that the Governor or Commander-in-chief of His Majes- 
ty's Province of New York, for the time being, do not, 
upon His Majesty's highest displeasure, presume to make 
any grant, whatsoever, of any part of the lands described 
in the said report, until His Majesty's further pleasure 
shall be known, concerning the same." 

This explicit prohibition of the king, however, was 
of little or no avail. The Governor of New York con- 
tinued to make grants, and writs of ejectment were issued 
as formerly. Thus, compelled to resort to more effective 
measures than mere argument, the people assembled in 
convention at Bennington and ^'Resolved to support 
their rights and property under the New Hampshire 
Grants, against the usurpation and unjust claims of the 
Governor and Council of New York by force, as law and 
justice were denied them." 

The adoption of this resolution was followed by a 
resolute and spirited resistance to the Civil officers of 
New York. Many of them were siezed by the people 
and severely ''chastised with twigs of the wilderness." 
A military association was also formed of which Ethan 
Allen was appointed Colonel-Commandant and Seth 
Warner, Remember Baker, Robert Cochran, Gideon 
Warner and others were appointed Captains. Commit- 
tees of safety were likewise appointed in several towns 
west of the Green Mountains. 

The authorities of New York directed the Sheriff of 



The New Hampshire Grants. 21 

Albany County to raise a posse comitatus to assist in the 
execution of his office and a proclamation was issued by 
the Governor of New York offering a reward of one hun- 
dred and fifty pounds ($750) for the apprehension of 
Ethan Allen, and fifty pounds ($250) each for the 
apprehension of Seth Warner, and five others named in 
the writ. Allen and the other proscribed persons, in 
turn, issued a Proclamation offering five pounds ($25) 
for apprehending and delivering to any officer of the 
Green Mountain Boys, the Attorney-General of the Colony 
of New York. 

At this crisis of the controversy, Governor Tryon of 
New York addressed a communication ''To the Rev. Mr. 
Dewey [an ancestor of Admiral George Dewey] and the 
inhabitants of Bennington and the adjacent country on 
the east side of Hudson's River," in which he unequivo- 
cally pointed out what he termed the ''illegal acts'' com- 
mitted by the settlers against the authority of New 
York. He also extended an invitation to Mr. Dewey 
to lay before the government the causes of the proceed- 
ings. "That there may be no obstruction to your laying 
before me, in Council, as soon as possible, a fair repre- 
sentation of your conduct, I do hereby engage full security 
and protection to all persons whom you shall choose to 
send on this business, to New York, from the time they 
leave their homes to the time of their return, except 
Robert Cochran, as also Ethan Allen, Remember Baker, 
and William Sevil, mentioned in my Proclamation of the 
9th of December last, and Seth Warner, whose audacious 
behavior to a Civil Magistrate, has subjected him to the 
penalties of the laws of his country." To this commu- 



22 Etlian Allen of Green Mountain Fame. 

nication a respectful but firm answer was returned, detail- 
ing the oppressions under which the settlers suffered, and 
beseeching his Excellency to be friendly disposed towards 
them and lend his assistance to quiet them in their pos- 
sessions ''until his Majesty, in his royal wisdom, should 
be graciously pleased to settle the controversy." In 
addition to this reply, the following special communi- 
cation was made to the Governor at the same time : 

Bennington, June 5, 1772. 
To His Excellency, William Tryon, Esq., etc. 

May it please your Excellency — We, his Majesty's 
loyal subjects, whose names are to this piece affixed, 
inhabitants on that tract of land your Excellency de- 
scribes by the name of Bennington, and the adjacent 
country, etc., and who were, by your Excellency's 
letter of the 19th of May last, prohibited the privilege 
of going to New York, and personally vindicate either 
ourselves or country, before your Excellency, and being 
put to the extremity of informing your Excellency by 
writing the reason of our discontent, and also of our be- 
havior, which we shall more largely set forth, than is in 
the foregoing general answer to your Excellency's letter; 
and also exhibit more arguments deduced from reason 
and the nature of things; we hope your Excellency will 
be graciously pleased to view this our defence with that 
tenderness and candor, a gentleman in so elevated a 
station should do, and, therefore, beg leave to observe, 
that^ as, on the one hand, no consideration whatever, 
shall induce us to remit, in the least, of our loyalty and 
gratitude to our most gracious Sovereign, nor of a rea- 
sonable subjection to your Excellency; so on the other 



The New Hampshire Grants. 23 

hand, no tyrannical exertions of the powers of the gov- 
ernment can deter us from asserting and vindicating 
our undoubted rights and privileges as Englishmen. We 
expected an answer from your Excellency, to our humble 
petition to you delivered, soon after your Excellency's 
accession to the administration of the government; 
but for reasons to us unknown, your Excellency passed 
it by in silence. However, we cheerfully embrace this 
opportunity of laying before your Excellency in Council 
the true state of our controversy, which, we can no other- 
wise do but by absorbing our personal distinction into 
the community, and general cause, to which we have 
obtained the character of faithful. We assure your Excel- 
lency that we assent to your authority of jurisdiction, 
inasmuch as his Majesty's Proclamation assures us, 
it is his will and pleasure, we be under the jurisdiction 
of New York; and not only now assent to it, but have 
ever done the same, except in instances where such per- 
verse use has been made thereof as would dispossess 
us of our property and country. We are truly desirous 
of petitioning his Majesty to re-annex us to the Province 
of New Hampshire. But this is not the ground of our 
discontent, or at least, is far from being the principal 
ground for it, though it was done ex parte, and we appre- 
hend there were more or less wrong representations made 
to his Majesty, to obtain the jurisdiction. However, 
it is the unreasonable and unconstitutional exercise of 
it, that is the present bone of contention — our properties 
are all at stake; this we contend for, as the following 
known facts will demonstrate: A certain number of de- 
signing men in New York (and elsewhere) procured pat- 



24 Ethan Allen of Green Mountain Fame. 

ents under the great seal of that Province, and those 
grantees, being non-residents, brought writs of ejectment 
against the New Hampshire settlers on the same land, 
covered by both patents, as aforesaid, and obtained judg- 
ment against them, and proceeded further and took out 
writs of possession, and actually dispossessed several of 
them by order of Law of their houses and farms, leaving 
them to suffer the inclemency of the weather, bereaved 
of all the necessaries of life, their new masters having 
monopolized their earthly all to themselves. These indi- 
gent families, having in the first place expended their 
several fortunes, in bringing their farms out of a wilder- 
ness state, into that of fruitful fields, gardens and orchards, 
the whole country consisting of more than fifteen hun- 
dred families, was greatly alarmed at the event which 
had already begun to take place, and in the greatest 
consternation; each individual, from these instances, 
reading their own intolerable and universal destruction. 
Still the writs of ejectment came thicker and faster, and 
universal slavery, poverty and horror, emblematically 
appeared in every countenance. 

Thus, things having come to this pass, the oppression 
was too great for human nature, under English Consti- 
tution, to grope under, for those unparalleled instances 
struck an infinitely more terrible idea, than that of the 
exertion of the Powers of Government. 

Law and society compacts were made to protect and 
secure the subjects in their peaceable possessions and 
properties, and not to subvert them. No person or com- 
munity of persons can be supposed to be under any par- 
ticular compact of Law, except it presupposeth, that that 



The New Hampshire Grants. 25 

Law will protect such persons or community of persons 
in his or their properties; for otherwise, the subject 
would, by Law, be bound to be accessory id his own 
ruin and destruction, which is inconsistent with the 
Law of self-preservation; but this Law, being natural as 
well as eternal, can never be abrogated by the Law of 
men. 

We would acquaint your Excellency, that since our 
misfortune in being annexed to the Province of New 
York, law has been rather used as a tool than a rule of 
equity, to cheat us out of the country we have made 
vastly valuable by labor and expense of our fortunes. 
We conclude these things are yet unknown, or in a great 
measure so to your Excellency, as your Excellency's com- 
mencement of the administration, hath not been long, 
and a set of artful, wicked men, concealing the truth from 
your Excellency, purposing to make a booty of us, char- 
acterizing us (speaking of our inhabitants in general) as 
so many rioters, if not rebels; and we being a poor people, 
at a great distance from your Excellency's place of resi- 
dence, fatigued in settling a wilderness country, have 
little or no opportunity of acquainting your Excellency 
of our grievances, except by one short petition delivered 
to your Excellency, soon after your first taking the admin- 
istration — and as our cause is represented before his 
Majesty and Council, we did not expect your Excellency 
to determine the controversy, nor do we yet expect it. 
We are sensible those men that seek our ruin, thereby, to 
enrich themselves, do, by stratagems of every kind, rep- 
resent us to your Excellency as breakers of the peace, 
and enemies to the government ; and under this pretense, 



26 Ethan Allen of Green Mountain Fame. 

they hope to catch a number of the boldest of our inhab- 
itants, and punish them in the New York Inquisition, 
with that severity that the residue may be frightened 
out of both liberty and property; for otherwise, they 
would soon be indicted rioters, and thus, under color of 
punishing rioters, and a zeal of loyalty and veneration 
for good government, rob the inhabitants of their coun- 
try. If we do not oppose the Sheriff and his Posse, he 
takes immediate possession of our houses and farms; if 
we do, we are immediately indicted rioters; and when 
others oppose officers in taking such, their friends, so 
indicted, they are also indicted and so on, there being 
no end of indictments against us, so long as v\^e act the 
bold and manly part, and stand by our liberty. 

This is a short sketch of the disingenuous cunning 
of Messieurs Duane and Kemp, and their associates; and 
it comes to this, at last, that we must tamely be dispos- 
sessed, or oppose officers in taking possession; and as a 
next necessary step, oppose taking of rioters, so called, 
or run away like so many cowards, and quit the country 
to a number of cringing, polite gentlemen, who have, 
ideally, possessed themselves of it already. 

As to sundry men, who have eloped lately from our 
grants, and fled to New York for protection, self-pres- 
ervation necessitated us to treat some of them roughly; 
and others, viz., Ebenezer Cowl, and Jonathan Wheat, 
of Shaftesbury, fled to New York, on account of their own 
guilt, not being hurt or threatened. Would time permit, 
we could give a rational account for most, or all of our 
late conduct towards these men. The general reason is 
this, namely, they were a set of men that loved them- 



The New Hampsliire Grants. 27 

selves, and not their country; they busied themselves 
in planning and assisting to take rioters, so called. In 
fine, they were the emissaries of that mercenary corps of 
Yorkers, and did more, in oppressing the people, than 
their preposterous benefactors. 

The assault, made upon Mr, Baker, at daybreak, of 
the night of the 22d of March last, by a number of 
ruffians, under the command of the infamous John Munro, 
Esq., was a notorious riot, and gave energy and motion, 
to the subsequent acts, your Excellency denominates 
illegal. This Munro, and his bloody party, by cutting, 
wounding and maiming, Mr. Baker, his wife and children, 
in such an inhuman and savage manner, was no less than 
proclaiming himself in a public manner, to be a malicious 
and bloody enemy, not only to Mr. Baker, but also to 
all those men on our grants who manfully adhere to 
maintaining liberty and property; and inasmuch as the 
murderous villain is alive, he has no cause of complaint — 
for, after his assault upon Mr. Baker, he made another 
assault upon Mr. Seth Warner; but not having so strong 
a party of ruffians with him, as in his other expedition, 
it was not attended with the like consequences, for Mr. 
Warner struck his head with a cutlass, and leveled him 
to the ground; but the blow proved not mortal; and 
after this, for his satisfaction for the wound, threatened 
the lives of a number of New Hampshire settlers. Your 
Excellency will undoubtedly consider, as our opponents 
have had the manufactory of the civil laws so much 
under their power, that this merciless man could not be 
brought to justice, nor could others among us be safe 
any other way, but by using him in his own play; he set 



28 Ethan Allen of Green Mountain Fame. 

the example and enraged the people to mimic him from 
that natural principle in every man's own breast. 

As to the perfidious and treacherous Bliss Willoughby, 
he always pretended to be a friend of the said Baker's, 
and Baker had ever been truly a friend of his — this hypo- 
crite, two days before Baker was taken, made a frivolous 
excuse of business, went to said Baker's house, viewed 
the strength of it, perceived Baker was somewhat care- 
less and secure, and made report to the said Munro. In 
fine, Willoughby was the planner and instigator of that 
savage cruelty, exercised to said Baker, which was per- 
petrated and brought into action by the detestable Munro. 
As to the history of our late transactions, whether they 
be all right or not, we, on our part, have a few arguments 
and considerations more to lay before your Excellency, 
as to the cause of our discontent, as well as to the cause 
of our late actions your Excellency denominates illegal. 

The alteration of jurisdiction in 1764, could not affect 
private property. Surely his Majesty by this alteration, 
did not purpose to take away the personal property of a 
large number of his loyal subjects, and transfer it to 
other subjects; the English Constitutions will, by no 
means, admit of this, for the transferring or alienation of 
property is a sacred prerogative of the true owner. Kings 
and Governors cannot intermeddle therewith. Further- 
more, your Excellency and Council must needs be informed 
that we have a petition lying before his Majesty and 
Council, for redress of grievances. That is an impartial 
board; pray why may it not be determined here? For 
the very identical matters in dispute are now, and for 
several years past h-a-ve been lying before that Court, 



The New HampsMre Grants. 29 

except the accusations of riotousness, disorderly, etc., 
which is improved as a handle to subvert property, and 
that only. 

Furthermore, in the time of Sir Henry Moore's admin- 
istration, his Majesty was pleased to lay the govern- 
ment of New York under absolute prohibition not to 
grant or patent any of the lands antecedently granted 
under the great seal of the Province of New Hampshire; 
and furthermore forbade the government to disturb or 
molest the settlers. This rightly understood, amounts 
to a supersedeas over the authority of common law, 
and absolutely controls the cognizance thereof. As to 
the particular matters in the prohibition set forth, or 
matters lying before his Majesty by petition, the import 
of the prohibition must needs be thus, namely: that his 
Majesty by it informs the government of New York that 
he has taken the controversy, to him made known by 
petition, under his royal consideration, and that, after 
due information and evidence of the state of the case, 
determines to settle the controversy; consequently for- 
bids the government taking cognizance thereof; and 
common sense teaches us that under such prohibition, 
if a judgment at common law be supposed to be valid, it 
would invalidate the authority of the Crown and subvert 
and overthrow the authority of the kingdom, as it would 
render the prohibitions of the crown perfectly impertinent. 
Therefore, common law in the case before us, is not 
clothed with cognizance of this case, much less with au- 
thority to dispossess us; consequently, every party of 
men, that have, with officers, or otherwise, come into 
these parts to dispossess us, came in open defiance and 



30 Ethan Allen of Green Mountain Fame. 

direct opposition to his Majesty's orders and authority; 
and though they style us rioters, for opposing them, and 
seek to catch and punish us as such ; yet, in reality, them- 
selves are the rioters, the tumultuous, disorderly, stim- 
ulating faction, or, in fine, the land-robbers; and every 
violent act they have done to compass their designs, 
though ever so much under pretence of law, is, in reality, 
a violation of law, and an insult on the constitution and 
authority of the Crown, as well as to many of us, in person 
who have been great sufferers from such inhuman exer- 
tions of pretended legality of law. Right and wrong 
are eternally the same, to all periods of time, places and 
nations; and coloring a crime with a specious pretence 
of law, only adds to the criminality of it; for, it subverts 
the very design of law, prostituting it to the vilest pur- 
poses. Can any man in the exercise of reason make 
himself believe that a number of attorneys and other 
gentlemen, with all their tackle of ornaments and com- 
pliments, and French finesse, together with their boasted 
legality of law— can these gentlemen have just right to 
the lands, labors and fortunes of the New Hampshire 
settlers? Certainly they cannot. Yet, this is the object 
they had in view— by mercenary fraternity. 

We do not suppose, may it please your Excellency, 
we are making opposition to a govermnent, as such; it 
is nothing more than a party, chiefly carried on by a 
number of gentlemen attorneys (if it be not abuse to 
gentlemen of merit to call them so), who manifest a sur- 
prising and enterprising thirst of avarice after our coun- 
try; but, for a collection of such intriguers, to plan matters 
of influence of a party, so as eventually to become judges 



1 '■'■ lU 



1 . -i 



Tlie New Hampshire Grants. 31 

in their own case, and, thereby cheat us out of our country, 
appears to us so audaciously unreasonable and tyran- 
nical, that we view it with the utmost detestation and 
indignation, and our breasts glow with a martial fury to 
defend our persons and fortunes from the ravages of 
those that would destroy us ; but not against your Excel- 
lency's person or government. 

We are fully persuaded, your Excellency's ears have 
been much abused by subtle and designing men; for, we 
are informed, from credible authority, your Excellency 
has, lately, made application to your Assembly to raise 
an armed force to subdue us, but that the motion was 
negatived. We apprehend your Excellency views us as 
opposing your Excellency's jurisdiction, and that the 
violent acts by us done were in rebellion to his Majes- 
ty's authority, or your Excellency had never proposed 
the subduing of us; we are morally certain we can con- 
vince your Excellency that it is not so; but that on the 
other hand Messieurs Duane, Kemp and their associates, 
are the aggressors. 

We have chosen two men from among us, viz., Capt. 
Stephen Fay and Mr. Jonas Fay, to treat with your 
Excellency in person; who, we hope, will answer such 
queries and give your Excellency the satisfaction you 
hope for. 

We view your Excellency as our Governor and polit- 
ical father, and hope and expect, from the sincerity and 
candor of your Excellency's letter, you will be friendly 
and favorably disposed towards us, when your Excel- 
lency, by these lines, perceives the grounds of our discon- 
tent; for, we are conscious that our cause is good, and 



32 Ethan Allen of Green Mountain Fame. 

that it was oppression which has been the ground of our 
discontent, and that self-preservation hath, hitherto urged 
us to the measure lately taken. And we now earnestly 
intreat your Excellency's aid and assistance to quiet us 
in our possessions and properties till his Majesty, in his 
royal wisdom, settle the controversy. If your Excellency 
should do this, there would be an end to riots, so called, 
and our tongues unable to express our gratitude to your 
Excellfency for such protection. 

Therefore, relying on your Excellency's great wisdom 
and goodness, as members of your Government, his Majes- 
ty's loyal and liege subjects, we subscribe ourselves your 
Excellency's ever faithful and humble servants, 

ETHAN ALLEN. 

Seth Warner. 

Remember Baker. 

Robert Cochran. 
Upon the receipt of the foregoing communications, 
Governor Tryon immediately laid them before his Coun- 
cil, who advised the Governor to afford the inhabitants 
of those townships all the relief in his power by suspend- 
ing all prosecutions in behalf of the crown on account 
of the crimes alleged against them, until the pleasure of 
the King should be known. 

It was further recommended that the owners of the 
contested lands, under grants from the Province of New 
York should not be disturbed and a stay be made in all 
civil suits then pending relative to the lands during the 
same period. This advice m,et the approbation of the 
Governor, who communicated it to the inhabitants of 
Bennington and the vicinity, in a lengthy proclamation 
issued June 12, 1772. 



CHAPTER III. 

CONTROVERSY CONCERNING CLAIMS. 

Pending these negotiations, the Green Mountain Boys, 
urged on by the numerous wrongs under which they 
suffered by the policy of the government of New York, 
through its governor Sir William Tryon, proceeded 
to eject a number of settlers on Otter Creek, a small 
stream in southwestern Vermont, who held their lands 
under titles from the Governor of New York. This ag- 
gression led Governor Tryon to issue a proclamation or 
'better" to the inhabitants of Bennington and the country 
adjacent, in which he expresssed his '^high displeasure 
at the breach of faith and honor of some of the inhabitants 
in dispossessing the settlers on Otter Creek and its neigh- 
borhood, of their possessions, and required the assistance 
of the people in putting, forthwith, those families, who 
have been thus dispossessed, into re-possession of their 
lands and tenements." 

In reply to this letter, the following lengthy commu- 
nication from Ethan Allen was addressed to the Governor 
on behalf of a majority of the settlers on Otter Creek: 

Bennington, Aug. 25, 1772. 
To His Excellency, William Tryon, Esq., etc. 

May it please your Excellency — We, his Majesty '3 

liege and loyal subjects, inhabitants of Bennington, and 

the adjacent country, have received your Excellency's 

33 



34 Ethan Allen of Green Mountain Fame. 

letter of the 11th of August inst., by which, we are in- 
formed of your Excellency's high displeasure towards 
us by reason of a body of our people's dispossessing sev- 
eral settlers on Otter Creek, and its neighborhood, of their 
possessions during the very time our messengers attended 
on your Excellency at New York and were waiting the 
determination of the government on our petition that 
we might remain unmolested in our possessions till 
the king's pleasure could be obtained. Your Excellency 
further informs us that you look on our late proceedings 
with great concern, viewing them as daring insults to the 
government, a violation of public faith and the condi- 
tions granted to our petition. We would, with proper 
submission, give your Excellency and Council a short 
narrative of facts, with a few reflections and reasons 
thereon. And, 

First, we would observe that our messengers your 
Excellency styles Commissioners, were not authorized to 
establish and complete articles of public faith for their 
constituents. The business assigned them was to deliver 
the written petition and inform your Excellency and 
Council of the facts of the controversy subsisting, and 
further negotiate and forward the matter of our petition 
and return to us the determination of the government, 
reserving to ourselves the power of assenting to or dis- 
senting therefrom; though true it is when the articles 
of amicable settlement or order of government was read 
at a public meeting held at Bennington on the 15th day 
of July ult. the said order and proposals were universally 
complied with by those present; from which time we 
reasonably compute the date of public faith and sacred 



Controversy Concerning Claims. 35 

bond of friendship. But in the interim the conditions 
of faith were forming, and before a ratification thereof, 
Mr. Kockburn, a noted surveyor, unknown (as we suppose) 
to your Excellency and Council, by the contrivance, aid 
and employ of certain monopolizing adversaries of ours, 
took a tour to the northerly parts of the New Hamp- 
shire Grants to survey and make locations on our land. 
Such locating we view as a manifest plan and intention 
of invading our property — the same as intrenching round 
a city, portends a siege thereof. 

Our people, having notice of Mr. Kockburn 's intrusion 
on our borders, rallied a small party and pursued and over- 
took him and his party and in their pursuit passed the 
towns of Panton and New Haven, near the mouth of 
Otter Creek; dispossessed Col. Reed of a saw mill, in 
said Panton, which, by force, and without color or even 
pretence of recourse to law, he had taken from the original 
owners and builders, more than three years before, and 
did at the same time extend his force, terrors and threats 
into the town of New Haven; who, by the vicious and 
haughty aid of Mr. Benzell, the famed Engineer, with a 
number of assistants under their command, so terrified 
the inhabitants (which were about twelve in number) 
that they left their possessions and farms to the conquer- 
ors, and escaped with the skin of their teeth, although 
they had expended large sums of money in cutting roads 
to, and settling in that new country as well as fatigued 
and labored hard in cultivating their farms. Colonel 
Reed at the same time and with the same force did take 
possession of one hundred and thirty saw logs and four- 
teen thousand feet of pine boards, which boards were made 



36 Ethan Allen of Green Mountain Fame. 

in the same mill and all lying thereby; all of which he con- 
verted to his own use. Not long after the original pro- 
prietor of the said saw mill did re-enter and take posses- 
sion thereof but was a second time attacked by Colonel 
Reed's steward, with a number of armed men under his 
(supposed) instructions and by their superior force and 
threats, obliged to quit the premises again — all which 
tenements said Reed occupied and enjoyed until dis- 
possessed as your Excellency's letter complains of. 

But to return to Kockburn again. Our party having 
taken him as aforesaid, brought him to the town of Castle- 
ton, near South Bay, where, being first informed of your 
Excellency's clemency, as well as that of the honorable 
Council, in granting the prayer of our petition; and in 
conformity to the articles of settlement agreed on, dis- 
missed him on honorable terms. 

This is a short narrative of facts, for the proof of 
which, sufficient affidavits can be educed. 

We are apprehensive, your Excellency has been 
hitherto unacqainted with these facts and have, there- 
fore exhibited them in this letter; although it appears 
strange to us, according as your Excellency's own letter 
states the matter, that we should be suspected or taxed 
with violation of public faith, and that our disingenuous 
and dishonorable violation thereof, hath nullified and 
made void the late amicable settlement; for at the same 
time your Excellency charges us with breach of faith and 
settlement, the very preliminaries of this faith were not 
known on our part, and consequently could not have 
been complied with; the very stipulations and faith 
spoken of did not then exist; for it must be the meeting 



Controversy Concerning Claims. 37 

of the minds of the contracting parties, which consti- 
tutes such faith and agreement and of course cannot be 
broken before its existence. 

Mr. Kockburn's locating our lands, in the mean time 
the preliminaries of public faith were forming, was at 
least as much a breach of that with which we are 
charged. Nay, according to our conception of the matter, 
more so; as he made the first movement towards the in- 
vasion of our property. 

Soon after our messengers returned from New York, 
and read the Minutes of Council and your Excellency's 
letter of compliance therewith, to a large auditory, con- 
vened at Bennington for that purpose, composed of 
inhabitants of that place, the adjacent country, and 
sundry respectable gentlemen from the neighboring Pro- 
vinces; your Excellency's gracious, wise and benevolent 
proposals for settling unity and concord in our part of 
the Province were by those present unanimously applaud- 
ed and conceded to; and all possible public testimony 
of honor and respect paid to your Excellency and Council 
by sundry discharges of cannon and small arms; your 
Excellency's health, long life and prosperity, as well as 
that of the honorable Council's, was the toast; your name 
commanded reverence and esteem and your Excel- 
lency's person in particular, became precious in our 
eyes. 

And we do humbly assure your Excellency we have 
no disposition of alienation of affections towards you, 
or knowingly break any article of public faith. 

There are two propositions which are the objects of 
our attention : 



38 Ethan Allen of Green Mountain Fame. 

Firstly: The protection of and the maintaining of our 
property. 

And secondly: To use the greatest care and prudence 
not to break the article of public faith, or insult govern- 
mental authority. 

These two propositions, we mean strictly and religi- 
ously to adhere to. And for the more explicit knowledge 
of the preliminaries and conditions of public faith and 
trust, we would inform your Excellency and Council, that 
our acceptation of those conditions on the part of New 
York, is that they make no further settlements or loca- 
tions on our lands, granted under the great seal of the 
Providence of New Hampshire, until his Majesty's 
pleasure be obtained, as to the validity of the grants. 
Although this was not so fully expressed, yet we suppose 
it was implied in the abstract of the Minutes of Council; 
if it was not, we pray your Excellency and Council would 
undeceive us in that particular, for if we are deceived in 
this, then on this hypothesis your Excellency and Coun- 
cil's lenient and friendly disposition towards us will not 
for the future (by us) be viewed as such; for such loca- 
tion and settlements on our lands would be incompatible 
with friendship and a manifest infringement upon our 
property, which has all along been the bone of con- 
tention. 

The last part of your Excellency's letter to us con- 
tains a requirement of our immediate assistance in repos- 
sessing Col. Reed's tenants of said tenements. As to 
this particular, had your Excellency have known by 
what means Colonel Reed obtained possession of these 
lands and tenements, undoubtedly your Excellency 



Controversy Concerning Claims. 39 

would not have required our assistance in repossessing 
him; or have viewed with concern our dispossessing him, 
as a daring insult to government; for the case rightly 
understood, it appears that his conduct was a daring 
insult to government and continued violation of more 
than three years of the laws, restrictions, regulations, and 
economy both of God and man; a notorious breach of 
the tenth commandment of the decalogue, which says, 
''Thou shalt not covet, " etc. He, coveting, did take the 
saw-mill, logs, boards and also the lands, labors, posses- 
sions, farms, tenements, etc., etc., from the rightful 
owners, proprietors and first occupants thereof, without 
a process at law, as aforesaid, to the exclusion from 
the premises more than three years; all which time he 
has been enriching himself by the improvements of their 
estates; and should we repossess him of the premises 
again, we should become co-partners with him, in his 
wickedness. Such an act we could not reconcile to our 
own consciences; it being apparently immoral and most 
flagrantly cruel and unjust. 

When your Excellency and Council view these facts 
and arguments, we humbly conceive we shall not be re- 
quired to repossess Colonel Reed of the premises, nor do 
we expect your Excellency and Council will adjudge us 
to be violators of the late articles of public faith, all of 
which, with due submission, we refer to your Excellency 
and Council. 

At a general meeting held at Manchester on the 27th 
day of August, 1772, by the Committee of the towns of 
Bennington, Sunderland, Manchester, Dorset, Rupert, 
Pawlet, Wells, Poultney, Castleton, Pittsford and Rut- 



40 Ethan Allen of Green Mountain Fame. 

land the foregoing answer to his Excellency's letter of the 
11th inst. was read to the said committees, and the vote 
was called by Mr. Nathan Clark, Chairman, whether the 
said answer be approved of by the said Committees and 
it was voted in the affirmative. 

And we do now, with due reverence, ask the favor of a 
few lines which may certify to us the determination of the 
government, relative to the particulars litigated in this 
paper, and remain your ever faithful and most obedient 
and humble servants. 

Attest, ETHAN ALLEN, 

Clerk of Said Committees. 



CHAPTER IV. 

REWARD FOR HIS APPREHENSION. 

The settlers on the New Hampshire Grants were a 
brave, zealous and hardy body of men and the numerous 
wrongs to which they had been subjected by the New 
York authorities had led them to a firm resistance in 
defence of their rights. In view of the British act of pro- 
hibition heretofore referred to, the government of New 
York, urged on by its imperious governor, proceeded to 
convey lands occupied under grants from royal authority, 
v/hile the Albany courts uniformly decided in favor of the 
grantees of New York. Writs of possession having been 
issued, and every means put in requisition to defraud the 
settlers of their just rights, they had no alternative left 
but open resistance. At their head stood Ethan Allen, 
who was chosen by common consent to become their 
leader; bold, even to desperation, he was fitted in every 
respect for the important character he sustained in the 
drama which enabled him, in stage parlance, to assume 
the role of 'heading man" with productions ranging from 
farce-comedy to tragedy. The settlers confidently relied 
upon his skill, his zeal and his well-known reputation for 
bravery, for the successful termination of their difficul- 
ties; that their confidence in him was increased by the 
plans he originated and carried into effect was evident 
from the fact that he was chosen to command rather than 

41 



42 Ethan Allen of Green Mountain Fame. 

to obey. He wrote and distributed several pamphlets, 
addressed more particularly to the feelings of the settlers, 
in which the injustice of the New York authorities was 
strongly depicted and the proceedings of the Green 
Mountain Boys triumphantly vindicated. He contri- 
buted much by voice and pen to inform the minds, arouse 
the zeal and unite the efforts of the settlers in an assault 
upon the enemies of liberty. 

For the purpose of enforcing such measures as the 
exigency of the situation required, the inhabitants of 
Rutland and Bennington counties met at Bennington 
and formed an organization with accredited delegates, 
which was to meet only on extraordinary occasions. 
Among other measures adopted by this body, was, 'Hhat 
no person should take grants, or confirmation of grants, 
under the government of New York." Again ''all the 
inhabitants in the district of the New Hampshire Grants, 
were forbidden to hold, take or accept any office of honor 
or profit under the Colony of New York, and all civil and 
military officers who had acted under the authority of the 
Governor or Legislature of New York, were required to 
suspend their functions on pain of being chastized." 

These decrees were rigidly and severely enforced 
whenever an occasion necessitated action; the more com- 
mon mode of punishment being an application of the 
''beach seal" on the naked back, and banishment from 
the settlements. A few instances, while they may serve 
to amuse, will also show the spirit which actuated the 
settlers in punishing their enemies. A certain Doctor of 
Arlington whose name is unknown to the author, was a 
warm partisan of New York and had often spoken in dis- 



Reward for His Apprehension. 43 

respectful terms of the settlers and the resolutions adopted 
by the Bennington Convention. He was frequently re- 
quested to desist, and, disregarding these requests, he was 
carried to the Green Mountain Tavern, in Bennington, 
where the Vigilance Committee heard his defence and 
then ordered him to be tied in an armed chair, and hoisted 
up to the sign of the Inn which was a catamount's skin 
stuffed. The sign was fastened upon a post twenty-five 
feet from the ground, looking towards the State of New 
York. The doctor sat there for two hours, in sight of the 
people facing the grinning catamount sign, '^as a punish- 
ment merited by his enmity to the rights and liberties 
of the people of the New Hampshire Grants." The 
punishment was executed doubtless to the no small mer- 
riment of a large crowd of people. The Doctor was finally 
let down and dismissed by the Committee with an ad- 
monition ''to go and sin no more." 

A certain Benjamin Hough was also punished under 
one of the decrees of the Convention. He had accepted 
and officiated in the office of Justice of the Peace under 
the authority of New York, and being arrested, was 
brought before the Committee of Safety at Sunderland. 
He offered in plea the jurisdiction of New York, but was 
answered by the decree of the convention which forbade 
all persons holding any civil or military office under the 
authority of New York. The following judgment was 
pronounced against him before a large assemblage of 
people: ''That the prisoner be taken from the bar of 
this Committee of Safety and tied to a tree, and there on 
his naked back to receive two hundred stripes; his back 
being dressed, he should depart out of the district; and on 



44 Ethan Allen of Green Mountain Fame. 

return to suffer death, unless by special leave of the Con- 
vention." He received the chastisement and dej^arted 
a sadder but wiser man. 

Notwithstanding these evidences that the Green 
Mountain Boys would not submit to the terms proposed 
by New York, the authorities of that state did not relax 
their exertions to make them submit to their author- 
ity. At a session of the General Assembly, held 
February 5, 1774, the following resolutions were 
adopted: 

1. That it appears to this Committee that there at 
present prevails in part of the county of Charlotte and in 
the northeastern district of the county of Albany, a dan- 
gerous and destructive spirit of riot and licentiousness, 
subversive of all order and good government; and that it 
has become an intolerable grievance, which requires im- 
mediate redress. 

2. Resolved, That it appears to this Committee, 
that many acts of outrage, cruelty, and oppression have 
been there perpetrated by a number of lawless persons, 
calling themselves the Bennington Mob, who have seized, 
insulted and terrified several magistrates and other civil 
officers so that they dare not exercise their respective 
functions; rescued prisoners for debt, assumed to them- 
selves military commands, and judicial power; burned 
and demolished the houses and property and beat and 
abused the persons of many of his Majesty's subjects; 
expelled them from their possessions, and put a period to 
the administration of its justice and spread terror and 
destruction through that part of the country which is ex- 
posed to their oppression. 



"Reward for His A]3preliension. 45 

3. Resolved, That it is the opinion of this Committee 
that the Complainants before this house and others, who 
inhabit part of that colony and from respect to govern- 
ment will not countenance or be concerned in the said 
riotous proceedings, are exposed from the violence of the 
rioters to imminent danger, both in person and properties, 
and that they stand in need of immediate protection 
and succor. 

4. Resolved, That it appears to this Committee that 
Ethan Allen, Seth Warner, Remember Baker, Robert 
Cochran, Peleg Sunderland, Sylvanus Brown, James 
Brackenridge and John Smith are principal ring-leaders 
of and actors in the riots and disturbances aforesaid, 
and that it is therefore the opinion of this Committee that 
an humble address be presented to his Excellency, desir- 
ing that he would be pleased to issue a Proclamation 
offering a reward of fifty pounds for apprehending and 
securing any or either of the persons above named, in 
his Majesty's gaol in Albany; and commanding the mag- 
istrates and other civil officers of the counties of Albany 
and Charlotte to be active and vigilant in suppressing 
the said riots and preserving peace and good order, as 
well as in bringing to justice the perpetrators and authors 
of said riots. 

5. Resolved, That it is the opinion of the Committee, 
that a bill be brought in more effectually to suppress the 
said riotous and disorderly proceedings, maintain the 
free course of justice and for bringing the offenders to 
condign punishment. Which report he read in his place 
and afterwards delivered it in at the table, where the 
said resolutions were severally read a second time and 



46 Ethan Allen of Green Mountain Fame. 

it was resolved that this house doth agree with the Com- 
mittee in their said resolutions. 

Ordered. That a bill be brought in pursuant to the 
last resolution, and that Mr. Brush and Col. Ten Broeck, 
prepare and bring in the same. Ordered that Capt. 
Delancy and Mr. Walton, wait on his Excellency the 
Governor with the foregoing address and resolutions of 
the house. 

These resolutions, as may be expected, created much 
excitement among the settlers and led them to the speedy 
adoption of counter-measures. A general meeting of all 
the Committees for the seveial townships on the west 
side of the range of Green Mountains, was held at 
Manchester on the first day of March, 1774, at which the 
grievances of the people were freely discussed as well as 
the extraordinary "proceedings of the New York Legis- 
lature." In the conclusion of the answer adopted by 
the meeting it was resolved "that as a county, we will 
stand by and defend our friends and neighbors indicted 
as rioters, at the expense of our lives and fortunes"; and 
"that for the future every necessary preparation be made 
and that our inhabitants hold themselves in readiness 
at a minute's warning to aid and defend such friends of 
our cause who for their merit to the great and general cause 
are falsely denominated rioters; but that we will not 
act anything more or less but on the defensive and always 
encourage due execution of law in civil cases, and also 
in criminal prosecution, that are so, indeed; and that 
we will assist to the utmost of our power, the officers 
appointed for that purpose." 




GEORGE WASHINGTON. 



i 



I 



Reward for His Apprehension. 47 

On the 9th of March, and previous to the time the 
proceedings of the Manchester Convention were received, 
the General Assembly of New York proceeded to carry 
into effect their resolutions of the 5th of February and 
enacted the following law: 

An Act for preventing tumultuous and riotous Assem- 
blies in the places therein mentioned, and for the more 
speedy and effectual punishing of the rioters. 

Whereas, a spirit of riot and licentiousness has of late 
prevailed in some parts of the counties of Charlotte and 
Albany, and many acts of outrage and cruelty have been 
perpetrated by a number of turbulent men who, assem- 
bling from time to time in arms, have seized, insulted 
and menaced several magistrates and other civil officers, 
so that they dare not execute their functions — rescued 
prisoners for debt — assumed to themselves military com- 
mands, and judicial powers — burned and demolished 
houses and property, and beat and abused the persons 
of many of his Majesty's subjects — expelled others from 
their possessions — and finally have put a period to the 
administration of justice within and spread terror and 
destruction throughout that part of the country which 
is exposed to their oppression. Therefore, for the pre- 
venting and suppressing of such riots and tumults, and 
for the more speedy and effectual punishing of the of- 
fenders therein. 

Be it enacted by his Excellency, the Governor, 
the Council, and the General Assembly, and it is hereby 
enacted by the authority of the same, That if any persons 
to the number of three or more being unlawfully riot- 
ously or tumultuously assembled within either of the said 



48 Ethan Allen of Green Mountain Fame. 

counties to the disturbance of the public peace, at any 
time after the passing of this act, and being required or 
commanded by any one or more justice or justices of the 
peace, or by the high sheriff or his under sheriff, or by 
any one of the coroners of the county, where such assem- 
bly shall be, by proclamation to be made in the King's 
name, in the form hereinafter directed, to disperse them- 
selves and peaceably to depart to their habitations or to 
their lawful business, shall to the number of three or 
more notwithstanding such proclamation made, unlaw- 
fully, riotously, and tumultuously remain or continue 
together to the number of three or more, after such com- 
mand or request made by proclamation, shall for every 
such offence, upon conviction thereof, in due form of law 
either in the supreme court of judicature of this colony, 
or at the courts of oyer and terminer, and general gaol 
delivery, or at the general sessions of the peace to be 
held respectively in and for the said counties of Albany 
and Charlotte, or either of them, suffer twelve months, 
imprisonment, without bail or mainprize, and such 
further corporal punishment as the respective courts 
before which he or she or they shall be convicted, shall 
judge fit, not extending to life or limb; and before his or 
her discharge shall enter into recognizance with two 
sufficient sureties in such sum as the said courts shall 
respectively direct, to be of good behavior and keep the 
peace towards his Majesty and all his subjects, for the term 
of three years from such his, her, or their discharge out 
of prison. 

And be it further enacted by the authority afore- 
said, That the order and form of the proclamation which 



Reward for His Apprehension. 49 

shall be made by the authority of this act, shall be as 
hereafter follows, that is to say: The justice or other 
person authorized by this act to make the said proclama- 
tion, shall among the said rioters or as near them as he 
can safely come, with a loud voice, command or cause 
to be commanded silence to be kept while proclamation 
is making; and shall then openly with a loud voice make, 
or cause to be made, a proclamation in these words, or to 
the like effect: Our Sovereign Lord, the King, chargeth 
and commandeth all persons being assembled, immedi- 
ately to disperse themselves and peaceably to depart to 
their habitations or to their*lawful business, upon the pain 
contained in the act made in the fourteenth year of the 
reign of King George the Third, to prevent tumultuous 
and riotous assemblies. And every such justice or 
justices of the peace, sheriff, under sheriff, or coroner, 
within the limits of the respective counties where they 
reside are hereby authorized, empowered and required 
on notice or knowledge of any such unlawful, riotous 
and tumultuous assembly, forthwith to repair to the place 
where such unlawful, riotous and tumultuous assembly 
shall be, to the number of three or more, and there to 
make or cause to be made, the proclamation in the manner 
aforesaid. 

And be it further enacted, by the authority afore- 
said. That if any person or persons do, or shall, with force 
and arms, wilfully and knowingly oppose, obstruct or 
in any manner wilfully and knowingly let, hinder or hurt 
any person or persons who shall begin to proclaim, or 
go to proclaim, according to the proclamation hereby 
directed to be made, whereby such proclamation shall 



50 Ethan Allen of Green Mountain Fame. 

not be made; that then every such opposing, letting 
hindering or hurting such person or persons so being or 
going to make such proclamation as aforesaid, shall be 
adjudged felony, without benefit of clergy; and that the 
offenders therein shall be judged felons and shall suffer 
death as in cases of felony without benefit of clergy. 
And that also every such person or persons so being un- 
lawfully, riotously and tumultuously assembled to the 
number of three as aforesaid, or more to whom procla- 
mation should or ought to have been made, if the same 
had not been hindered as aforesaid, shall in case they or 
any of them to the number of three or more, shall con- 
tinue together and not disperse themselves, after such 
let or hindrance, having knowledge of such let or hin- 
drance, shall, likewise, for every such offense, upon convic- 
tion thereof in manner aforesaid, suffer the same pains and 
penalties as are hereby inflicted on those who shall con- 
tinue together to the number of three or more, after they 
shall be commanded to depart to their habitations, or 
lawful business by proclamation as aforesaid. 

And be it further enacted by the authority afore- 
said. That if such persons so unlawfully, riotously and tu- 
multuously assembled, or any three or more of them 
after proclamation made in manner aforesaid, shall con- 
tinue together, and not forthwith disperse themselves, 
it shall and may be lawful to and for every such justice 
of the peace, sheriff, under sheriff, coroner or constable, 
of any county or township where such assembly shall be, 
and to and for such person or persons as shall be com- 
manded to be assisting unto such justice of the peace, 
sheriff, under sheriff, coroner or constable (who are hereby 



Reward for His Apprehension. 51 

authorized and empowered to command all his Majesty's 
subjects of age and ability, to be aiding and assisting 
to them therein) to seize and apprehend, and they are 
hereby required to seize and apprehend such persons so 
unlawfully, riotously and tumultuously assembled togeth- 
er, after proclamation made as aforesaid, and forthwith 
to carry the persons so apprehended, before any one or 
more of his Majesty's justices of the peace of the said 
counties of Charlotte or Albany in order to their being 
proceeded against for such of their offences according 
to law. 

And that if such persons so unlawfully, riotously and 
tumultuously assembled, or any of them, shall happen to 
be killed, maimed or hurt in the dispersing, seizing or ap- 
prehending them, by reason of their resisting the persons 
so dispersing, seizing or apprehending, or endeavoring 
to disperse, seize or apprehend them; and then, every 
such justice of the peace, sheriff, under sheriff, coroner 
or constable and all and singular persons aiding and 
assisting to them, or any of them, shall be freed, dis- 
charged and indemnified, as well against the King's Maj- 
esty, his heirs and successors, as against all and every other 
person or persons, of, for or concerning the killing, maim- 
ing or hurting of any such person or persons so unlaw- 
fully, riotously and tumultuously assembled, that shall 
happen to be so killed, maimed or hurt as aforesaid. 

And be it further enacted by the authority afore- 
said, That if any person or persons within the said coun- 
ties, or either of them, not being lawfully authorized a 
judge, justice or magistrate, shall assume judicial power 
or shall try, fine, sentence or condemn any person who 



52 Ethan Allen of Green Mountain Fame. 

shall either be absent or shall unlawfully or forcibly be 
seized, taken or brought before him or them, for trial or 
punishment; or if any person or persons shall aid or 
assist in such illegal proceedings, or shall enforce, execute 
or carry into effect; or if any person or persons shall un- 
lawfully seize, detain or confine or assault and beat any 
magistrate or civil officer, for or in the respect of any act or 
proceeding in the due exercise of his function^ or in order 
to compel him to resign, renounce or surcease his com- 
mission or authority, or to terrify, hinder or prevent him 
from performing and discharging the duties thereof; or 
if any person or persons either secretly or openly shall 
unlawfully, wilfully and maliciously burn or destroy the 
grain, corn or hay of any other person, being in any en- 
closure; or if any persons unlawfully, riotously and tu- 
multuously assembled together, to the disturbance of the 
public peace, shall, unlawfully and with force, demolish 
or pull down, or begin to demolish or pull down, any 
dwelling house, barn, stable, grist mill, saw mill, or out- 
house, within either of the said counties, that then each of 
the said offences, respectively, shall be adjudged felony 
without benefit of clergy; and the offenders therein shall 
be adjudged felons, and shall suffer death, as in cases of 
felony, without benefit of clergy. 

And whereas complaint and proofs have been made 
as well before his Excellency the Governor and Coun- 
cil, as before the General Assembly, that Ethan Allen, 
sometime of Salisbury, in the Colony of Connecticut, 
but late of Bennington, in the county of Albany, yeoman; 
Seth Warner, late of Bennington, in said county, yeoman; 
Remember Baker, late of Arlington, in the said county. 



Reward for His Apprehension. 53 

yeoman; Robert Cochran, late of Rupert, in the county 
of Charlotte, yeoman; Peleg Sunderland and Silvanus 
Brown, late of Socialborough, in the same county, yeo- 
man; James Breckenridge, late of Wallumschack, in the 
county of Albany, yeoman; and John Smith, late of 
Socialborough, yeoman, have been principal ringleaders 
of and actors in the riots and disturbances aforesaid; 
and the General Assembly have thereupon addressed 
his Excellency the Governor to issue a proclamation 
offering certain rewards for apprehending and securing 
the said offenders, and for bringing them and the other 
perpetrators and authors of the riots to justice: And 
forasmuch as such disorderly practices are highly criminal 
and destructive to the peace and settlement of the coun- 
try, and it is indispensably necessary for want of process 
to outlawry (which is not used in this colony) that special 
provision be made for bringing such offenders, in future, 
to trial and punishment without exposing the colony to 
the expense of extraordinary rewards and bounties for 
apprehending such offenders, 

Be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid, That 
it shall and may be lawful to and for his Excellency the 
Governor or the Governor and Commander-in-Chief, for 
the time being, by and with the advice of the council 
as often as either of the above named persons, or any 
other person shall be indicted in either of the counties 
aforesaid, for any offence perpetrated after the passing 
of this act, made capital by this or any other law, or 
where any person may stand indicted for any of the 
offences above mentioned, not made felony by this act, 
to make his order in council, thereby requiring and com- 



54 Ethan Allen of Green Mountain Fame. 

manding such offender or offenders to surrender them- 
selves, respectively, within the space of seventy days 
next after the first publication thereof in the New York 
Gazette and Weekly Mercury, to one of his Majesty's 
justices of the peace, for either of the said counties re- 
spectively, who are hereby required thereupon to commit 
him or them, without bail or mainprize, to the gaol of 
the city of New York or of the city and county of Albany, 
to the end that he or they may be forthcoming to answer 
the offence or offences wherewith he or they shall stand 
charged, according to the ordinary course of law; which 
order the clerk of his Majesty's Council or his deputy^ 
shall cause forthwith to be printed and published, in 
eight successive papers of the New York Gazette and 
Weekly Mercury; the first two of which to be forthwith 
transmitted to the sheriffs of the counties of Albany and 
Charlotte; and the said sheriffs, respectively, shall within 
six days after the receipt thereof cause the same 
printed orders to be affixed upon the door of the court- 
house of the county of Albany and upon the door of the 
dwelling-house of Patrick Smith, Esq., where the courts 
are now usually held for the said county of Charlotte, and 
upon the doors of two other public houses in each of their 
respective counties. And in case the said offenders 
shall not respectively surrender themselves, pursuant 
to such orders of his Excellency the Governor, or of the 
Governor and Commander-in-Chief for the time being, 
to be made in council as aforesaid, he or they so neglect- 
ing or refusing to surrender himself or themselves as 
aforesaid, shall from the day appointed for his or their 
surrender as aforesaid, be adjudged, deemed and (if in- 



Keward for His Appreliension. 55 

dieted for a capital offence hereafter to be perpetrated) 
to be convicted and attainted of felony and shall suffer 
death as in cases of persons convicted and attainted of 
felony, by verdict and judgment v/ithout benefit of clergy; 
and that it shall and may be lawful for and by the supreme 
court of judicature of this colony, or the courts of oyer 
and terminer, or general gaol delivery for the respective 
counties aforesaid, to award execution against such 
offender or offenders, so indicted for a capital offence 
perpetrated after the passing of this act, in such a manner 
as if he or they had been convicted or attainted in the 
said supreme courts of judicature, or before such courts 
of oyer and terminer of general gaol delivery respectively. 
And if any offender, being indicted for a lesser offence, 
under the degree of felony, shall not surrender himself 
within the time fixed by such order, and after such notice 
aforesaid, he shall thenceforth be deemed guilty of the 
offence for which he may be charged by such indictment; 
and it shall be lawful for the court wherein such indict- 
ment is found, to proceed to pronounce such judgment 
against the offender as might lawfully be done if he was 
present in court and convicted in the ordinary course 
of lavv- of the crime wherewith he shall so stand charged 
as aforesaid — Provided always — 

And be it further enacted by the same authority 
aforesaid. That if any person so neglecting to surrender 
himself as aforesaid within the said seventy days shall 
at any time after surrender himself to the sheriff of the 
city of New York or Albany, or of the counties of Dutch- 
ess or West Chester (who are to receive and safely keep 
such offenders) and being actually in custody, shall ex- 



56 Ethan Allen of Green Mountain Fame. 

hibit reasonable proof to the satisfaction of the judges 
of the supreme court of this colony, or either of them, 
that he was not within either of the said counties of Cum- 
berland or Gloucester, at any time after the publication 
and notices above directed, and before such surrender 
of himself as aforesaid; then such judge before whom 
such proof is made, shall forthwith notify the same in 
writing to the sheriff to whom any warrant of execution 
for the executing of such offender, or any other process for 
any lesser punishment hath been or may be issued; and 
thenceforth such prisoner or offender shall not be liable 
to suffer death or any other punishment for not surren- 
dering himself — Provided also that nothing in this act 
contained shall be construed to exempt any offender so 
surrendering himself after the seventy days as aforesaid, 
from any punishment to which he may be liable for any 
other crime than for not surrendering himself within the 
said seventy days as aforesaid ; nor to deprive any person 
who shall so surrender himself within the seventy days 
from being bailed, in cases where he shall be bailable by 
law; anything herein contained to the contrary thereof, 
in any wise, notwithstanding. 

And be it further enacted by the same authority 
aforesaid, that all and every person or persons who shall, 
after the expiration of the time to be appointed, as afore- 
said, for the surrender of the respective offenders herein 
before named, harbor, receive, conceal, abet or succor 
such offender or offenders, knowing him or them to have 
been required to surrender him or themselves by such 
order or orders as aforesaid, and not to have surrendered 
pursuant thereto, shall upon conviction thereof, in due 



Reward for His Apprehension. 57 

form of law, suffer the same pains and penalties as are, by 
this act inflicted on those who shall continue together to 
the number of three or more after they shall be commanded 
to depart to their habitation or lawful business by pro- 
clamation as aforesaid. 

And whereas the said county of Charlotte hath but 
lately been set off from the said county of Albany and 
there is yet no gaol or court-house erected within the same; 
and a great part of the said county being involved in a 
state of anarchy and confusion by reason of the violent 
proceedings of the aforesaid riotous and disorderly people, 
from whence it must at present be extremely difficult, if 
not impracticable, to bring offenders to justice within the 
said county — 

Be it therefore further enacted by the authority afore- 
said, That all treasons, felonies, crimes, misdemeanors 
and offences whatsoever, at any time hereafter to be com- 
mitted or perpetrated, within the said county of Char- 
lotte, shall and may be proceeded against and presented 
by any grand jury for the county of Albany, from time to 
time to be impaneled and sworn at any court of criminal 
jurisdiction to be held in and for the said countyof Albany ; 
who shall and may charge any of the said offences to have 
been committed in any part of the said county of Char- 
lotte; and all indictments so found by them shall be ad- 
judged to be good and valid, notwithstanding that the 
place of perpetrating any of the said offences be in the said 
indictments alleged to be out of the said county of Albany; 
and all such offences and offenders which shall be present- 
ed or indicted as aforesaid, shall and may be tried within 
the county of Albany, and by a jury thereof and there 



58 Ethan Allen of Green Mountain Fame. 

heard, determined and punished in the same manner and 
as if such treason, felony, crime, misdemeanor or offence 
had arisen and been perpetrated within the said county of 
Albany. 

Provided always, and be it further enacted. That 
if at any time hereafter the justices to be appointed for 
holding courts of oyer and terminer and general gaol de- 
livery for the said county of Charlotte, in cases cognizable 
before them, or the justices of the general sessions of the 
peace for the said county of Charlotte, in cases cognizable 
before them, shall conceive that any prisoner or offender 
may be safely brought to justice within, and by a jury of 
the said county of Charlotte, that then it shall and may be 
lawful to and for each of the said courts respectively, to 
proceed against and try such prisoner or offender, having 
lawful cognizance of his cause, within and by a jury of the 
said county of Charlotte; and him there to acquit or sen- 
tence, condemn, and punish, as the law directs; anything 
in this act to the contrary thereof notwithstanding. 

And be it further enacted by the authority afore- 
said. That this act shall be publicly read in every court of 
general sessions of the peace, to be held in each of the said 
counties of Albany and Charlotte respectively. 

And be it further enacted by the authority afore- 
said. That this act shall remain and continue in full force 
and effect from the passing thereof until the first day of 
January which will be in the year of our Lord, one thou- 
sand seven hundred and seventy six. 



eHAPTER V. 

DEFYING THE AUTHORITIES. 

The passage of the foregoing law blasted every prospect 
of amity or peace between the belligerents. The Green 
Mountain Boys regarded it as an act to frighten them into 
submission to what they regarded as unjust and arbitrary 
measures. Under this impression, therefore, the threats 
were regarded with contempt, and only served to rivet 
still closer their attachment to the position they had as- 
sumed. As an evidence of this, we find the following 
remonstrance to the law, signed by Ethan Allen and 
others, which presents a fair specimen of the views and 
feelings of the great body of the New Hampshire grantees 
at this trying period: 

His Excellency, Governor Tryon, in conformity to 
the addresses of the General Assembly of the colony of 
New York, having on the 9th day of March, 1774, with 
the advice of his Council, issued his proclamation offering 
therein large sums of money for the purpose of apprehend- 
ing and imprisoning the following persons, viz: Ethan 
Allen, Seth Warner, Remember Baker, Robert Cochran, 
Peleg Sunderland, Silvanus Brown, James Brackenridge 
and James Smith. 

And whereas his Excellency the Governor, by the same 
proclamation, hath strictly enjoined and commanded all 

59 



60 Ethan Allen of Green Mountain Fame. 

magistrates, justices of the peace, sheriffs and other civil 
officers of the counties of Albany and Charlotte to be act- 
ive and vigilant in apprehending and imprisoning the per- 
sons above named; and we, the aforesaid persons who have 
hereunto subscribed, being conscious that our cause is 
good and equitable in the sight of God, and all unpreju- 
diced and honest men, are determined at all events, to 
maintain and defend the same till his Majesty's pleasure 
shall be known concerning the validity of the New Hamp- 
shire Grants. And we now proclaim to the public, not 
only for ourselves but for the New Hampshire grantees 
and occupants in general that the spring and moving 
cause of our opposition to the government of New York 
was self-preservation, viz.: Firstly, the preservation and 
maintaining of our property; and secondly, since that 
government is so incensed against us, therefore it stands 
us in hand to defend our lives ; for it appears by a late set 
of laws passed by the legislature thereof that the lives and 
property of the New Hampshire settlers are manifestly 
struck at ; but that the public may rightly understand the 
essence of the controversy, we now proclaim to those law- 
givers and to the world that if the New York patentees 
will remove their patents that have been subsequently 
lapsed and laid on the New Hampshire charters, and 
quiet us in our possessions, agreeable to his Majesty's di- 
rections, and suspend those criminal prosecutions against 
us for being rioters (as we are unjustly denominated) then 
will our settlers be orderly and submissive subjects to 
government; but, be it known to that despotic fraternity 
of law-makers and law-breakers that we will not be fooled 
or frightened out of our property. They have broke over 



Defying the Authorities. 61 

his Majesty's express prohibitions in patenting those 
lands and when they act in conformity to the regal author- 
ity of Great Britain it will be soon enough for us to obey 
them. It is well known by all wise and sensible persons 
in the neighboring governments (that have animadverted 
on the controversy) that their pretended zeal for good 
order and government is fallacious and that they aim at 
the lands and labors of the grantees and settlers aforesaid ; 
and that they subvert the good and wholesome laws of the 
realm to corroborate with and bring about their vile and 
mercenary purposes. 

And, inasmuch as the malignity of their disposition 
towards us hath flamed to an immeasurable and murder- 
ous degree, they have in their new fangled laws, calculated 
for the meridian of the New Hampshire Grants, passed the 
9th of March, 1774, so calculated them as to correspond 
with the depravedness of their minds and morals; — in 
these laws they have exhibited their genuine pictures. 
The emblems of their insatiable, avaricious, over-bearing, 
inhuman, barbarous and blood-guiltiness of disposition 
and intention are therein portrayed in that transparent 
image of themselves which cannot fail to be a blot and an 
infamous reproach to them, to posterity. We cannot sup- 
pose that every one of his Majesty's Council or that all the 
members of the General Assembly were active in passing 
so bloody and unconstitutional a set of laws. Undoubt- 
edly some of them disapproved thereof, and it is altogether 
possible that many who were active in making the law were 
imposed upon by false representations, and acted under 
mistaken views of doing honor to the government ; but be 
this as it will, it appears that there was a majority^ and 



62 Ethan Allen of Green Mountain Fame. 

it has been too much the case with the government for a 
number of designing schemers and land jockeys to rule the 
same. Let us take a view of their former narrow and cir- 
cumscribed boundaries, and how, by that legerdemain, 
bribery and deceptions of one sort or other, they have ex- 
tended their domain far and wide. They have wrangled 
with and encroached upon their neighboring governments 
and have used all manner of deceit and fraud to accom- 
plish their designs; their tenants groan under their usury 
and oppression; and they have gained, as well as merited, 
the disapprobation and abhorrence of their neighbors ; and 
the innocent blood they have already shed calls for 
heaven's vengeance on their heads; and if they should 
come forth in arms against us, thousands of their injured 
and dissatisfied neighbors in the several governments will 
join with us to cut off and extirpate such an execrable 
race from the face of the earth. This remontrance is not 
supposed to contain a full answer to the newly constructed 
laws aforesaid, for such a large two year old hath never 
been before seen in America, it being of an enormous and 
monstrous birth ; nor is it supposed to give the legislators 
their full characters, but so much may suffice for the pres- 
ent. To quote the laws and make remarks thereon would 
be matter sufficient for a volume; however, we will yet 
make some short observations : 

1st. Negatively, it is not a law for the Province of 
New York in general, but 

2d. Positively it is a law but for part of the counties 
of Charlotte and Albany, viz.: such parts thereof as are 
covered with the New Hampshire charters; and it is well 
known these grants compose but a minor part of the in- 




KING GEORGE IIL 



I 



Defying the Authorities. 63 

habitants of said Province ; and we have no representative 
in that assembly. The first knowledge we had of said 
laws was the completion of them which informed us that 
if we assembled, three* or taore of us together, to oppose 
(that which they call legal) authority we shall be adjudged 
felons and suffer the pains of death; and that same fra- 
ternity of plotters knew, as well as we, and the generality 
of the people in the adjacent colonies, that they have for 
a number of years last past endeavored to exercise such a 
course of what they call law, that had they not been op- 
posed by the people of these grants (called the Mob) in 
executing the same, they would, before this time, have 
been in possession of that territory for which the laws 
aforesaid are calculated. Therefore the case stands thus : 
If we oppose the civil officers in taking possession of our 
farms, we are by these laws denominated felons; or if we 
defend our neighbors who have been indicted rioters, only 
for defending our property; we are likewise adjudged 
felons. In fine, every opposition to their monarchical 
government is deemed felony and at the end of every sen- 
tence there is the word Death ! And the same laws further 
empowered the respective judges, provided any persons 
to the number of three or more, that shall oppose any 
Magistrate or other civil officer, and be not taken, that 
after a legal warning of seventy days, if they do not come 
and yield themselves up to certain officers appointed for 
the purpose of securing them, then it shall be lawful for 
the judges aforesaid to award execution of Death, the 
same as though he or they had been convicted or attainted 
before a proper court of judicature, etc. The candid 
reader will doubtless observe that the diabolical design of 



64 Ethan Allen of Green Mountain Fame. 

this law is to obtain possession of the New Hamp- 
shire Grants or to make the people that defend them 
outlaws, and so kill them whenever they can catch 
them. 

Those bloody law-givers know we are necessitated to 
oppose their execution of law, where it points directly at 
our property, or give up the same; but there is one thing 
that is a matter of consolation to us, viz., that printed 
sentences of death will not kill us when we are at a distance, 
and if the executioners approach us they will be as likely 
to fall victims to death as we; and that persons, or country 
of persons are cowards indeed if they cannot, as manfully, 
fight for their liberty, property and lives as villains can do 
to deprive them thereof. 

The New York schemers accuse us of many things, 
part of which are true, and part not. With respect to 
rescuing prisoners for debt, it is false. As to assuming 
judicial powers we have not, except a well regulated com- 
bination of the people to defend their just rights may be 
called so. As to forming ourselves into military order and 
assuming military commands, the New York posses, and 
military preparations, oppressions etc., obliged us to do 
it. Probably Messrs. Duane and Kemp and Banyar, of 
New York, will not discommend us for so expedient a prep- 
aration, more especially since the decrees of the 9th of 
March are yet to be put in execution, and we flatter our- 
selves, upon occasion we can muster as good a regiment of 
marksmen and scalpers as America can afford ; and we now 
give the gentlemen above named, together with Mr. Brush 
and Col. Ten Broeck, and in fine, all the land jobbers of 
New York, an invitation to come and view the dexterity 



Defying the Authorities. 65 

of our regiment ; and we cannot think of a better time for 
that purpose than when the executioners come to kill us, 
by virtue of the authority their judges have lately received 
to award and sentence us to death in our absence. There 
is still one more notable complaint against us, viz., that 
we had insulted and menaced several magistrates and 
other civil officers so that they dare not execute their re- 
spective functions. This is true so far as it relates to the 
magistrates. But the public should be informed what the 
functions of these magistrates are: They are commis- 
sioned for the sole purpose of doing us all the harm and 
mischief they possibly can, through their administration 
and influence; and that they might be subservient to the 
wicked designs of the New York schemers. These are 
their functions ; and the public needs no further proof than 
the consideration that they are the tools of those extrava- 
gant law-makers; and it must be owned they acted with 
great judgment in choosing the most infernal instruments 
for their purposes. 

Draco, the Athenian law-giver, caused a number of 
lav/s (in many respects analogous to those we have been 
speaking of) to be written in blood. But our modern 
Dracos determine to have theirs verified in blood. They 
well know we shall, more than three, nay, more than three 
hundred times three, assemble together, if need be, to 
maintain our common cause, till his Majesty determines 
who shall be and remain the owners of the land in contest. 
''Wilt not thou possess that which Chemoth, thy God, 
giveth thee to possess?" So will we possess that which 
the Lord our God (and King) giveth us to possess. 

And lastly, we address ourselves to the people of the 



66 Ethan Allen of Green Mountain Fame. 

counties of Albany and Charlotte, which inhabit to the 
westward of and are situated contiguous to, the New 
Hampshire Grants. 

Gentlemen, Friends and Neighbors: 

Providence having allotted and fixed the bounds of 
our habitations in the same vicinity, which together with 
the intercourse of trade and commerce, hath formed an 
almost universal acquaintance and tie of friendship be- 
tween us, and hath laid such a foundation of knowledge 
that your people, in general, cannot but be sensible that 
the title of our land is, in reality the bone of contention; 
and that as a people we behave ourselves orderly and are 
industrious and honestly disposed; and pay just deference 
to order and good government ; and that we mean no more 
by that which is called the Mob but to defend our just 
rights and property. We appeal to the gentlemen mer- 
chants to inform us whether our people in general, do not 
exert themselves to pay their just debts; and whether they 
have been hindered by the country's Mob in the collection 
of their dues. But as the magistrates, sheriffs, under 
sheriffs, coroners and constables of the respective counties, 
that hold their posts of honor and profit under our bitter 
enemies, we have a jealousy that some of them may be in- 
duced (to recommend themselves to those on whom they 
are dependent, and for the wages of unrighteousness, offer- 
ed by proclamation) to presume to apprehend some of us, 
or our friends. We therefore advertise such officers and 
all persons whatsoever, that we are resolved to inflict im- 
mediate death on whomsoever may attempt the same. 
And provided any of us or our party shall be taken and 



Defying tlie Authorities. 67 

we have not notice sufficient to relieve them, or whether 
we reheve them or not, we are resolved to surround such 
person or persons, whether at his or their own house or 
houses, or anywhere that we can find him or them, and 
shoot such person or persons dead. And furthermore 
that we will kill and destroy any person or persons whom- 
soever that shall presume to be accessory, aiding or as- 
sisting in taking any of us as aforesaid ; for by these pres- 
ents we give any such disposed person or persons to un- 
derstand that although they have a license by the law 
aforesaid, to kill us, and an indemnification for such mur- 
der, from the same authority; yet they have no indemni- 
fication for so doing from the Green Mountain Boys; for our 
lives, liberties and properties are as verily precious to us 
as to any of the king's subjects; and we are as loyal to his 
Majesty or his government as any subjects in the Province: 
but if the governmental authority of New York will judge 
in their own case, and act in opposition to that of Great 
Britain, and insist upon killing us, to take possession of 
our 'Vineyards" — come on, we are ready for a game of 
scalping with them; for our martial spirits glow with bitter 
indignation and consummate fury to blast their infernal 
projections. 

It may be, the reader, not having seen the law 
referred to in this remonstrance and not being thor- 
oughly acquainted with the long and spirited conflict 
that hath subsisted between the claimants under New 
Hampshire and New York, nor of the progressive arbi- 
trary and monopolizing disposition of the court party of 
the latter of those Provinces, may be apt to imagine 
that the spirit of this writing is too severe, inasmuch 



68 Etlian Allen of Green Mountain Fame. 

as it destines whoever presumes to take us as felons or 
rioters, to immediate death; but let the wise consider the 
state of the case. 

1. Provided we on our part be taken, we have by their 
laws, the sentence of death already pronounced against 
us, on proviso that more than three of us assemble to- 
gether to maintain and defend our property, till his 
Majesty determines the controversy; and — 

2. If it be considered, that the legislative authority 
of the Province of New York has no constitutional right 
or power to make such laws; and consequently that 
they are null and void from the nature and energy of the 
English constitution; therefore as they merit no place 
among the laws of the realm of Great Britain, but are 
the arbitrary league and combination of our bitter and 
merciless enemies, who to obtain our property, have 
inhumanly, barbarously and maliciously, under the 
specious and hypocritical pretense of legal authority 
and veneration for order and government, laid a snare 
for our lives; can the public censure us for exerting our- 
selves nervously to preserve our lives in so critical a 
situation? For, by the laws of the Province into which 
we are unfortunately fallen, we cannot be protected 
in either property or life, except we give up the former 
to secure the latter; so we are resolved to maintain both, 
or to hazard or lose both. 

From hence follows a necessary inference. That 
inasmuch as our property, nay, our lives, cannot be 
protected (but manifestly struck at) by the highest 
authority in the Province to which we at present belong, 
therefore, in the interim, while his Majesty is determining 



Defying tlie Autliorities. 69 

the controversy, and till he shall interpose his royal 
authority, and subject the authority aforesaid to their 
duty, or re-annex the district of disputed lands to the 
Province of New Hampshire, in his great wisdom and 
fatherly clemency, put the distressed settlers under 
New Hampshire on an equal footing with our brother- 
subjects in his realm, we are under necessity of resisting, 
even unto blood, every person who may attempt to 
take us as felons or rioters as aforesaid; for in this case 
it is not resisting law, but only opposing force by force; 
therefore inasmuch as by the oppression aforesaid 
the New Hampshire settlers are reduced to the disagree- 
able state of anarchy and confusion, in which state we 
hope for wisdom, patience and fortitude, till the happy 
hour his Majesty shall graciously be pleased to restore 
us to the privileges of Englishmen. 
Signed by 

ETHAN ALLEN, 
Seth Warner, 
Remember Baker, 
Robert Cochran, 
Peleg Sunderland, 
John Smith, 
SiLVANus Brown. 
Bennington, April 26, 1774. 



CHAPTER VI. 

BEGINNINGS OF THE REVOLUTION. 

The seeds of disunion, sown by the unwise policy of 
the British Ministry, urged on by the king's advisers in 
America, were at this advanced state of the controversy 
between New York and the New Hampshire Grants rapidly 
springinginto life. The oppressive measures of Great Britain 
— the attempt to burden the Cplonists with the system of 
unequal taxation — aroused a spirit among them, indica- 
tive of a sanguinary struggle, which could have but one 
termination — war — with all of its attending horrors. 
So threatening was the aspect of affairs that preparatory 
measures were taken for convening a Continental 
Congress; and Delegates were accordingly chosen 
from the twelve Colonies to meet at Philadelphia on 
the 5th day of Sepetmber, 1774. New Hampshire sub- 
sequently sent delegates to the Convention which also 
met in Philadelphia when the Declaration of Independ- 
ence was adopted July 4, 1776. 

This important step towards an organization of the 
political power of the colonies was followed, as may 
naturally be imagined by an almost total suspension 
of royal authority. The courts of justice, either ad- 
journed or concluded to go out of business, and every 
attempt on the part of the King's officers to extend 
their authority over the people was followed by a strong 

70 



Beginnings of the Ke volution. 71 

and decided opposition. The first interruption of this 
kind occured at Westminster, in the county of Cumber- 
land, in the New Hampshire Grants, over which the 
jurisdiction of New York had been extended. The 
occurrence is fully described in the following document : 
"A Relation of the Proceeding of the People of the 

County of Cumberland, Province of New York. 

''In June, 1774, some letters came to the supervisors 
of said county from the Committee of Correspondence at 
New York signed by their chairman, Mr. Low; which 
letters, said supervisors, through ignorance or intention, 
kept until September, when they had another meeting; 
and it is supposed that they intended always to have 
kept them, and the good people would have remained 
in ignorance about them until this time, had it not been 
by accident that it was whispered abroad so that Dr. 
Reuben Jones, of Rockingham, and Capt. Azaria Wright, 
of Westminster, heard of it and took proper care to notify 
those towns. A meeting was called in the two towns 
aforesaid and a committee was chosen by each town, to 
wait on the supervisors at their meeting in September, to 
see if there were any papers that should be laid before 
the several towns in the county; and they found that 
there were papers come from the Committee of Corre- 
spondence, that should have been laid before the towns 
in June. The supervisors made many excuses for their 
conduct; some pled ignorance, and some one thing and 
some another; but the most of them did seem to think 
that they could send a return to the committee at New 
York without ever laying them before their constituents, 
which principle at this day so much prevails that it is 







Ethan Allen of Green Mountain Fame. 



the undoing of the people. Men at this day are so un- 
fortunately tainted with the principles of tyranny that 
they would fain believe that as they are chosen by the 
people to any kind of office, for any particular thing, that 
they have the sole power of that people by whom they 
are chosen and can act in the name of that people in any 
matter or thing, though it is not in any connection with 
what they were chosen for. But the committees would 
not consent to have a return made until every town in 
the county had Mr. Low's letters laid before them; which 
was done and a County Congress was called; return was 
made, a committee was chosen to see that it was put in 
print; but through interest or otherwise, it was never 
published in any of the papers. 

Immediately after, the people of the county aforesaid 
received the resolves of the Continental Congress. They 
called a County Congress, and did adopt all the resolves 
of the Continental Congress at their resolves, promising 
religiously to adhere to that agreement or association. 
There was a Committee of Inspection moved for, to be 
chosen by the county, according to the second resolve of 
the association aforesaid; but being much spoken against 
by a justice and an attorney and looked upon by them as 
an impertinent thing, the delegates dared not to choose 
one. At this time there were tory parties forming, al- 
though they were under disguise, and had laid a plan to 
bring the lower sort of the people into a state of bondage 
and slavery. They saw that there was no cash stirring 
and they took that opportunity to collect debts, know- 
ing that men had no other way to pay them than by hav- 
ing their estates taken by execution and sold at vendue. 



Beginnings of tlie Revolution. 73 

There were but very few men araong us that were able to 
buy; and those men among us that were so disposed, that 
they would take all the world into their own hands with- 
out paying anything for it, if they could, by law; which 
would soon bring the country into slavery. Most, or all 
of our men in authority, and all that wanted court favors 
seemed much enraged and stirred up many vexatious 
lawsuits and imprisoned many, contrary to the laws of 
this Province, and the statutes of the Crown. One 
man they put into close prison for high treason, and all 
that they proved against him was that he said if the king 
had signed the Quebec bill, it v/as his opinion that he had 
broken his coronation oath. But the good people went 
and opened the prison door and let him go and did no 
violence to any man's person or property. Our men in 
office would say that they did like the resolutions of the 
Continental Congress and they ought to be strictly ad- 
hered to until our General Assembly voted against them. 
Then they said that this would do for the Bay-Province, 
but it was childish for us to pay any regard to them. 
Some of our court would boldly say that the king had a 
just right to make the revenue-acts, for he had a supreme 
power ; and he that said otherwise was guilty of high trea- 
son, and they did hope that they would be executed ac- 
cordingly. The people were of opinion that such men 
were not suitable to rule over them, and as the general 
assembly of this Province would not accede to the asso- 
ciation of the Continental Congress, the good people were 
of the opinion that if they did accede to any power from 
or under them they should be guilty of the breach of the 
4th article of that association and may justly be dealt 



74 Ethan Allen of Green Mountain Fame. 

with, accordingly, by all America. When the good people 
considered that the general assembly were for bringing 
them into a state of slavery (which did appear plain by 
their not acceding to the best method to procure their 
liberties, and the executive power so strongly acquiescing 
in all that they did, whether it was right or wrong) the 
good people of said county thought it time to look to 
themselves. And they thought that it was dangerous to 
trust their lives and fortunes in the hands of such enemies 
to American liberty, but more particularly unreasonable 
that there should be any court held, since thereby we 
must accede to what our General Assembly had done in 
not acceding to what the whole continent had recom- 
mended; and that all America would break off all dealings 
and commerce with us, and bring us into a state of slavery 
at once. Therefore in duty to God, ourselves and pos- 
terity, we thought ourselves under the strongest obli- 
gations to resist and to oppose all authority that would 
not accede to the resolves of the Continental Congress. 
But knowing that many of our court were men that 
neither feared or regarded men, but thought it was most 
prudent to go and persuade the judges to stay at home. 
Accordingly there were about forty good, true men who 
went from Rockingham to Chester, to dissuade Colonel 
Chandler, the chief judge, from attending court. He said 
he believed it would be for the good of the county not to 
have any court as things were, but there was one case of 
murder that they must see to, and if it was not agreeable 
to the people, they would not have any other case. One 
of the committee told him that the sheriff would raise a 
number with arms and that there would be bloodshed. 



Beginnings of tlie Ee volution. 75 

The Colonel said that he would give his word of honor 
that there should not be any arms brought against us ; and 
he would go down to court on Monday the 13th of March, 
inst., which was the day that the court was to be opened. 
We told him that we would wait on him if it was his will. 
He said that our company would be very agreeable; like- 
wise he returned us his hearty thanks for our civility, and 
so we parted with him. We heard from the southern 
part of the state that Judge Sabin was very earnest to 
have the law go on, as well as many petty officers. There 
were but two judges in the county at that time. Col. 
Wells being gone to New York. There was a great deal 
of talk in what manner to stop the court and at length it 
was agreed to let the court come together, and lay the 
reasons we had against their proceeding before them, 
thinking they were men of such sense that they would 
hear them. But on Friday we heard that the court was 
going to take possession of the house on the 13th inst. and 
to keep a strong guard at the doors of said house, that we 
could not come in. We being justly alarmed at the 
deceit of our court, though it was not strange, therefore 
we thought proper to get to court before the armed 
guards were placed; for we were determined that our 
grievances should be laid before the court, before it was 
opened. On Monday the 13th of March there were 
about 100 of us entered the court house about four o'clock 
in the afternoon. But we had but just entered before we 
were alarmed by a large number of men, armed with guns, 
swords, and pistols. But we in the house had not any 
weapons of war among us and were determined that they 
should not come in with their weapons of war, except by 



76 EtLan Allen of Green Mountain Fame. 

force of them. Squire Patterson came up at the head of 
his armed company, within about five yards of the door, 
and commanded us to disperse ; to which he got no answer. 
He then caused the king's Proclamation to be read, and 
told us that if we did not disperse in fifteen minutes, by 
G — d he would blow a lane through us. We told him 
that we would not disperse. We told them that they 
might come in if they would unarm themselves, but not 
without. One of our men went out at the door and asked 
them if they were come for war; told them that we were 
come for peace and that we should be glad to hold a parley 
with them. At that, Mr. Gale, the clerk of the court, 
drew a pistol, held it up and said, " D — n the parley with 
such d — d rascals as you are; I will hold no parley with 
such d — d rascals but by this!" (holding up his pistol.) 
They gave us very harsh language, told us we should be 
in h — before morning; but after a little while they drew 
a little off from the house and seemed to be in consultation. 
Three of us went out to treat with them, but the most or 
all that we could get from them was that they would not 
talk with such d — d rascals as we were; and we soon 
returned to the house and they soon went off. 

Colonel Chandler came in and we laid the case before 
him and told him that we had his word that there should 
not be any arms brought against us. He said that the 
arms were brought without his consent, but he would go 
and take them away from them, and we should enjoy the 
house undisturbed until morning; and that the court 
should come in the morning without arms, and should 
hear what we had to lay before them, and then he went 
away. We then went out of the house and choose a 



Beginnings of the Revolution. 77 

committee, which drew up articles to stand for, and read 
them to the company ; and they all voted nemine 
contradicente [nobody disagreeing] and some of our men 
went to the neighbors and as many as the court and their 
party saw, they bound. 

About midnight, or a little before, the sentry at the 
door espied some men with guns and he gave the word 
to man the doors, and the walk was crowded. Immedi- 
ately the sheriff and his company marched up fast, within 
about ten rods of the door, and then the word was given^, 
''Take Aim!" and then, 'Tire!" Three fired immediately. 
The word fire was repeated; ''G — d d — n you, fire; send 
them to h— ! " were the most or all of the words that were 
to be heard for some time; on which there were several 
men wounded; one was shot with four bullets, one of 
which went through his brain, of which wound he died 
next day. Then they rushed in with their guns, swords, 
and clubs and did most cruelly bruise several more and 
took some that were not wounded, and those that were 
and crowded them into close prison together, and told 
them that they should all be in h — before the next night, 
and that they did wish there were forty more in the same 
case with that dying man. When they put him into 
prison then took and dragged him as one would a dog, 
and would mock him as he lay gasping, and make sport 
for themselves at his dying motions. The people that 
escaped took prudent care to notify the people in the 
country, and also in the government of New Hampshire 
and the Bay, which, being justly alarmed at such an 
unheard of and aggravated piece of murder, did kindly 
interpose in our favor. 



78 Ethan Allen of Green Mountain Fame. 

On Tuesday, the 14th inst., about 12 o'clock, nearly 
200 men, well armed came from New Hampshire govern- 
ment, and before night there were several of the people 
of Cumberland county returned, and took up all they 
knew of that were in the horrid massacre and confined 
them under a strong guard; afterwards they con- 
fined as many as they could get evidence against, except 
several that did escape for their lives. On the 15th inst., 
the body formed chose a moderator and clerk, and chose 
a committee to see that the coroner's jury of inquest 
were just, impartial men; which jury on their oath did 
bring in, that '' W. Patterson, etc., did on the 13th day of 
March, by force and arms, make an assault on the body 
of one William French then and there, and shot him 
through the head with a bullet, of which wound he died, 
and not otherwise." Then the criminals were confined in 
close prisons and on the evening of the same day and 
early the next morning, a large number came from 
the southern part of the county of Cumberland and 
the Bay Province. It is computed that in the whole 
there were 500 good, martial soldiers, well equipped for 
war, that had gathered. On the 16th inst., the body 
assembled, but being so numerous they could not do 
business, there was a vote passed to choose a large com- 
mittee to represent the whole and that this committee 
should consist of men who did not belong to the county 
of Cumberland, as well as those that did belong thereto; 
which was done. After the most critical and impartial 
examination of evidence, voted, that the leaders of them 
should be confined in Northampton jail till they could 
have a fair trial, and those that did not appear so guilty 



Beginnings of the Revolution. 79 

should be under bonds, holden to answer at the next court 
of oyer and terminer in the county aforesaid; which was 
agreed to. On the 17th inst. bonds were taken for those 
that were to be bound, and the rest set out under a strong 
guard for Northampton. 

We, the committee aforesaid, embrace this opportu- 
nity to return our most grateful acknowledgments and 
sincere thanks to our truly wise and patriotic friends in 
the government of New Hampshire and the Massachusetts 
Bay, for their kind and benevolent interposition in our 
favor at such a time of distress and confusion aforesaid; 
strongly assuring them that we shall always be ready for 
their aid and assistance, if by the dispensation of divine 
providence, we are called thereto. 

Signed, by order of the Committee: 

Reuben Jones, Clerk. 

Cumberland County, March 23, 1775. 

The effect of this massacre, as it was termed, was 
electrical upon the people of Cumberland, and in fact 
upon the whole mass of settlers on the New Hampshire 
Grants. The opposition to the claims of New York had 
thus far mostly been confined to the inhabitants on the 
western side of the Green Mountains — a majority of the 
grantees in the vicinity of the Connecticut River having 
surrendered their original charters, taken new grants under 
New York and quietly submitted to the jurisdiction of 
that Colony. They entered fully, however, into the spirit 
which pervaded the people of the Massachusetts and 
Connecticut in relation to the oppressive policy of Great 
Britain towards her American Colonies. This state of 



80 Ethan Allen of Green Mountain Fame. 

public sentiment together with the fact that the Provin- 
cial Assembly of New York had withheld its approbation 
from the political measures recommended by the Conti- 
nental Congress, and which had received the sanction of 
every other colony, induced them to an open resistance 
to the administration of New York. In pursuance of 
this determination, a meeting of a large body of people 
was held at Westminster on the 11th of April, 1775, at 
which the following measures were adopted : 

1. Voted, that Major Abijah Lovejoy be the Moderator 
of this meeting. 

2. Voted that Dr. Reuben Jones be the Clerk. 

3. Voted, as our opinion. That our inhabitants are 
in great danger of having their property unjustly, cruelly 
and unconstitutionally taken from them, by the arbitrary 
and designing administration of the government of New 
York; sundry instances having already taken place. 

4. Voted, as our opinion, That the lives of those 
inhabitants are in the utmost hazard and imminent 
danger, under the present administration. Witness the 
malicious and horrid massacre of the night of the 13th 
ult. 

5. Voted, as our opinion. That it is the duty of said 
inhabitants, as predicated on the eternal and immutable 
law of self-preservation, to wholly renounce and resist the 
administration of the government of New York, till such 
time as the lives and property of those inhabitants may 
be secured by it; or till such time as they can have oppor- 
tunity to lay their grievances before his most gracious 
Majesty in council, together with proper remonstrances 
against the unjustifiable conduct of that government, 



Beginnings of tlie Revolution. 81 

with an humble petition to be taken out of so oppressive 
a jurisdiction and either annexed to some other govern- 
ment, or erected and incorporated into a new one, as may- 
appear best to the said inhabitants, to the royal wisdom 
and clemency, and till such time as his Majesty shall settle 
this controversy. 

6. Voted, That Colonel Ethan Allen, Colonel John 
Hazeltine, and Charles Phelps, Esquire, be a Committee 
to prepare such remonstrance and petition for the purpose 
aforesaid. 

In this situation of affairs, the people of Vermont were 
electrified by the commencement of hostilities, between 
America and Great Britain, at Lexington, on the memorable 
19th of April, 1775. This exciting prelude to an eventful 
drama, produced a startling effect from one extremity of 
the Colonies to the other. ''Local and Provincial con- 
tests, were at once, " says Williams, in his History of 
Vermont, ''swallowed up by the novelty, the grandeur and 
the importance of the contest thus opened.'' 

Although the settlers on the New Hampshire Grants 
yielded to the importance of the American cause, and used 
their endeavors to assist in carrying into effect the meas- 
ures agreed upon by the sister Colonies, yet they did not 
relax their exertions to improve their internal condition 
and substantiate the righteousness and justness of their 
proceedings in regard to the claims of New York. To a 
firm adherence to their primary position, and to their 
patriotic exertions in behalf of the common cause may 
be attributed the no small amount of trouble they after- 
wards experienced in obtaining an amicable and satis- 
factory settlement of their difficulties with the Congress 



82 Ethan Allen of Green Mountain Fame. 

when the three delegates, Josiah Bartlett, William Whipple 
and Matthew Thornton, were admitted as members to its 
deliberations, affixing their names to the Declaration of 
Independence, July 4, 1776, as delegates from New Hamp- 
shire. 



CHAPTER VII. 

THE CAPTURE OF FORT TICONDEROGA. 

The period at which we have now arrived in the life of 
Ethan Allen, places him before the reader in a broader 
and far more interestmg position. Heretofore he has 
been seen only as the zealous friend of the people among 
whom he resided — only as the champion of the humble 
citizen, contending for the rights of property and human 
justice. In these offices of friendship and duty, however, 
he had rendered him.self conspicuous and trustworthy. He 
had evinced a spirit of patriotism and a love of freedom 
which warmly recommended him to the confidence, the 
esteem and the friendship of the most conspicuous advo- 
cates of American liberty — Washington, Adams, Lee, 
Hancock, Jefferson. That he should have been selected, 
therefore, as a leader in a measure fraught with important 
incidents to the cause of liberty, is a reward due both to 
his patriotic principles and important public services. 

Soon after the result of the battle of Lexington was 
known, instructions were sent to Allen from the General 
Assembly of Connecticut to enlist a body of the settlers 
on the New Hampshire Grants, and, if it were thought 
possible, to surprise and take the British fortress at Ticon- 
deroga, at the lov/er end of Lake Champlain. This en- 
terprise was cheerfully undertaken by him. A goodly 
number of men were speedily enrolled, and preparations 

83 



84 Ethan Allen of Green Mountain Fame. 

hastily made for the attack. The several passes leading 
to the fortress were carefully guarded and all communica- 
tion between the garrison and the adjoining country inter- 
cepted. By a forced march Allen arrived at Lake Cham- 
plain opposite Ticonderoga on the evening of the 9th of 
May, 1775, with two hundred and thirty brave Green 
Mountain Boys. Considerable difficulty was experienced 
in procuring boats to cross the lake. This difficulty, 
however, was partially overcome at last and eighty-three 
were landed near the garrison and the boats sent back for 
the rear guard, commanded by Colonel Seth Warner. 
As the day began to dawn, Allen found himself compelled 
to attack the enemy before the arrival of Colonel War- 
ner's detachment. As this, says Allen in his narrative, 
was viewed as hazardous, I harangued the officers and 
soldiers in the following manner : 

Friends and fellow soldiers: You have for a number 
of years past been a scourge and terror to arbitrary 
power. Your valor has been famed abroad, and acknowl- 
edged, as appears by the advice and orders to me from the 
General Assembly of Connecticut to surprise and take 
the garrison now before us. I now propose to advance 
before you, and in person conduct you through the 
wicket-gate; for we must, this morning, either quit our 
pretensions to valor or possess ourselves of this fortress 
in a few minutes. And inasmuch as it is a desperate 
attempt, which none but the bravest of men dare under- 
take, I do not urge it on any one contrary to his will. You 
that will undertake, voluntarily, poise your firelocks. 

As might be conjectured, among such a body of hardy 
and fearless men, the musket of every one was brought 



The Capture of Fort Ticonderoga. 85 

to a poise. Allen, with his men immediately advanced 
to the wicket-gate where a sentry was found posted who 
snapped his musket at him, and immediately retreated 
through the covered way into the parade grounds within 
the garrison, gave the alarm and then sought safety be- 
hind a stone wall. Allen rushed in immediately, followed 
by his men, whom he formed on the parade in such a 
manner that they faced the two barracks which were 
opposite each other. The garrison being asleep, except 
the sentries, three loud shouts were given by Allen and 
his men, very much to the surprise of the sentinels. One 
of the sentries made a pass at one of the American officers 
with a bayonet, and slightly wounded him. My first 
thought, says Allen, was to kill him with my sword, but 
in an instant I altered the design and fury of the blow to 
a slight cut on the side of the head upon which he dropped 
his gun and asked for quarter which I readily granted 
him, and demanded of him the place where the command- 
ing officer could be found. He showed me a pair of stairs 
in the front of the barracks on the west part of the garrison 
which led up to a second story in said barrack, to which I 
immediately repaired and ordered the commander. 
Captain de la Place, to come forth instantly or I would 
sacrifice the whole garrison; the Captain came imme- 
diately to a door with his small clothes in his hand. When 
I ordered him to deliver me the fort instantly, he asked 
me by what authority I demanded it. I answered him: 
In the name of the Great Jehovah and the Continental 
Congress! The authority of the Congress being very 
little known at that time, he began to speak again, but I 
interrupted him and with my drawn sword over his head 



86 Ethan Allen of Green Mountain Fame. 

again demanded an immediate surrender of the garrison, 
with which he then complied and ordered his men to be 
forthwith paraded without arms as he had given up tha 
garrison. In the mean time some of my officers had given 
orders, and in consequence thereof sundry of the barrack's 
doors were beaten down and about one-third of the 
garrison imprisoned, which consisted of the commander, 
a Lieutenant Feltham, a conductor of artillery, a gunner, 
two sergeants and forty rank and file, together with 
about one hundred pieces of cannon, one thirteen-inch 
mortar, and a number of swivels. This surprise was 
carried into execution in the gray of the morning of the 
10th of May, 1775. The sun, continues Allen, seemed to rise 
that morning with a superior luster and Ticonderoga and 
its dependencies smiled on its conquerors who tossed 
about the flowing bowl and wished success to Congress 
and the liberty and freedom of America. 

Colonel Warner, with the rear guard, crossed the 
lake and joined the conquerors early in the morning; 
shortly thereafter Warner was dispatched with about 
one hundred men to take possession of Crown Point, 
which was garrisoned with only a sergeant and twelve 
"men. 

This was effected the same day and about one hun- 
dred pieces of cannon together with other munitions 
of war were secured. Only one thing now remained 
to be done in order to obtain the control of Lake Cham- 
plain ; this was to capture a sloop of war which was then 
lying at St. Johns, to effect which it was agreed in a 
council of war to arm and man a certain schooner lying 
at South Bay and place, Captain afterwards General, 



Tlie Capture of Fort Ticonderoga. 87 

Benedict Arnold in command, while Allen was to com- 
mand the smaller boats. The necessary preparations 
being made, they set sail from Ticonderoga in quest 
of the sloop which was much larger and carried more 
and heavier guns than the schooner. The schooner, 
sailing much more rapidly than the bateaux, arrived at 
St. Johns and Arnold possessed himself of the sloop 
before the arrival of Allen. He also captured a sergeant 
and twelve men who were stationed at that place. It 
is also worthy of notice that as soon as General Arnold 
had secured the prisoners on board and made preparations 
for sailing, the wind, which but a few hours before was 
fresh from the South and well served to carry them to 
St. Johns, now shifted and came fresh from the North, 
and in about an hour thereafter. General Arnold 
sailed with the prize and schooner for Ticonderoga. 
He was met by Allen within a few miles of St. Johns and 
saluted with a discharge of cannon, which was returned 
with a volley of '^ small arms." After several repetitions 
of this compliment, Allen and his officers went on board 
the sloop, where several loyal healths were drunk to the 
Congress. 

The result of this victory was of great import- 
ance to the American cause, as it utterly destroyed 
the military force of the British upon Lake Champlain 
and strengthened the cause of the patriots among the 
colonists. It cannot be denied that the Americans em- 
barked in the cause of freedom with many misgivings. 
They were well aware of their own weakness and they 
were equally apprised of the gigantic power with which 
they had to contend. The capture, therefore, of so 



88 Ethan Allen of Green Mountain Fame. 

strong and well fortified a fortress as Ticonderoga, 
resulting in the entire overthrow of the British power 
on Lake Champlain, tended to raise their depressed 
spirits and create a confidence among them which was 
of vast importance to the cause. First results, whether 
favorable or the reverse, exercise a powerful influence 
upon succeeding incidents, and in proportion to their 
importance are their effects to be considered. 

Commenting upon the success which attended the 
attack upon Ticonderoga and the expedition to St. Johns, 
Allen remarks in his Narrative: This success I viewed 
as of consequence in the scale of American politics, for if 
a settlement between the then Colonies of Great Britain 
had soon taken place, it would have been easy to have 
restored these acquisitions, but in viewing the then 
future consequences of a civil war, as it has already 
proved to be, and the command of that Lake, garrisons, 
artillery, etc., it must be viewed to be of signal import- 
ance to the American cause, and it is marvelous to me 
that we ever lost the command of it. Nothing but tak- 
ing a Burgoyne with a whole British army, could in my 
opinion, atone for it; and notwithstanding such an 
extraordinary victory, we must be obliged to regain 
the command of that lake again, be the cost what it 
will. By doing this, Canada will easily be brought 
into union and confederacy with the United States ol 
America. Such an event would put it out of the power 
of the Western tribes of Indians to carry on a war with 
us and be a solid and durable bar against any farther 
inhuman barbarities committed on our frontier inhabit- 
ants by cruel and blood-thirsty savages, for it is impos- 



The Capture of Fort Ticonderoga. 89 

sible to carry on a war except they are supported by 
the trade and commerce of some civilized nation, which, 
to them would be impracticable, did Canada compose 
a part of the American Empire. Had Allen's plans 
been successful, Canada might now be divided into im- 
portant and populous states with representation at 
Washington, instead of being a dependency of Great 
Britain. 

Early in the ensuing fall, the American army, under 
the command of Generals Schuyler and Montgomery, 
received orders to advance into Canada. Allen was 
at Ticonderoga when this order arrived. He received 
pressing requests from Montgomery and a majority of 
the field officers to accompany the expedition — it being 
stipulated that, although he held no regular commis- 
sion from Congress, he should be considered as an of- 
ficer and as occasion might require, command certain 
detachments of the army. This being considered by 
him an honorable offer, and having a desire to assist 
to the extent of his ability in any expedition having 
for its object the good of the country, he complied with 
the requests and advanced northward with the army 
to Isle aux Noix. From this place he was ordered, by 
Schuyler, to accompany Major Brown and certain inter- 
preters through the woods into Canada with letters to 
the Canadians, informing them that the design of the 
army was only against the English garrisons, and not 
the country, their liberties or their religion. Having, 
with much difficulty, arranged this business Allen re- 
turned to Isle aux Noix early in September. 

General Schuyler having returned to Albany, the 



90 Ethan Allen of Green Mountain Fame. 

command devolved upon General Montgomery, from 
whom Allen soon after received orders to make a second- 
tour of Canada for the purpose of observing the sit- 
uation there and communicating to him the designs and 
movements of the inhabitants as well as the British. 
This journey was undertaken with reluctance by Allen, 
who chose rather to assist at the siege of St. Johns, which 
was then entirely surrounded ; but his esteem, he says, for 
the General's person and opinion of him as a politician 
induced him to proceed to Canada at once. 

The route taken by Allen led him through all the 
parishes on the river Sorrel to a town at its mouth bear- 
ing the same name. The inhabitants were addressed 
by him upon the policy of General Montgomery in be- 
sieging St. Johns and every argument used to quiet 
their fears and enlist their support in behalf of the Amer- 
icans. From the village of Sorrel he directed his course 
to the St. Lawrence, and thence through the many 
small settlements to Longueil, where he arrived on the 
22d of September. He was accompanied by a Can- 
adian guard, an interpreter, and a few American attend- 
ants. 

On the morning of the 24th of September he left 
Longueil, with a guard of about eighty men, for La Prairie, 
from whence it was his determination to proceed directly 
to General Montgomery's camp on the St. Lawrence. 
He had advanced about two miles, however, when he 
met Major Brown, who informed him that he had im- 
portant intelligence to communicate, the import of which 
was that, provided Allen would return to Longueil and 
procure a few canoes to enable the party to effect a pass- 



The CajDture of Fort Ticonderoga. 91 

age across the St. Lawrence a short distance below 
Montreal, he (Major Brown) would cross the river above 
the town with two hundred men, as he had a sufficient 
number of boats — and thus effect the capture of Mont- 
real. This plan, although somewhat chimerical and 
ill-planned, was readily approved by Allen and those 
in council; in consequence of which they immediately 
returned to Longueil, collected a few canoes, and after 
adding about thirty men to the party, crossed the river 
on the night of the 24th, agreeable to the proposed plan. 
The whole effective force of Allen consisted of only one 
hundred and ten men, about eighty of whom were Can- 
adians. We were most of the night, says Allen, in 
crossing the river, as we had so few canoes that they had 
to pass and repass three times to carry my party across. 
Soon after day-break I set a guard between me and the 
town with special orders to let no person pass or repass 
them, and another guard at the other end of the road 
with like directions. In the mean time I reconnoitered 
the best ground to make a defence — expecting Major 
Brown's party was landed on the other side of the town, 
he having, the day before, agreed to give three huzzas 
with his men early in the morning, which signal I was to 
return, that we might know that both parties were landed. 
But the sun, by this time, being near two hours high, 
and the sign failing, I began to conclude myself to be in 
a sad dilemma and would have crossed the river back 
again, but I knew the enemy would discover such an 
attempt, and as there could not more than one third 
part of my troops cross at one time, the other two thirds 
would of course, fall into their hands. This I could 



92 Ethan Allen of Green Mountain Fame. 

not reconcile to my own feelings as a man, much less 
as an officer. I therefore concluded to maintain the 
ground, if possible, and share the fate of the others. 
In consequence of this resolution, I despatched two 
messengers — one to La Prairie to Major Brown and 
the other to L'Assomption, a French settlement, to a 
Mr. Walker, who was in our interest, requesting speedy 
assistance, giving them at the same time to understand 
my critical situation. In the meantime sundry persons 
came to my guards, pretending to be friends, who were 
by them taken prisoners and brought to me. These I 
ordered to confinement until their friendship could 
be farther confirmed for I was jealous they were spies, 
as they proved to be afterwards. One of the principal 
of them, making his escape, exposed the weakness of 
my party, which was the final cause of my misfortune, 
for I have since been informed that Mr. Walker, agree- 
ably to desire, exerted himself and raised a considerable 
number of men for my assistance, but, hearing of my 
misfortune, he disbanded them. 

The news of the arrival of Allen and his followers 
created much excitement and alarm in and about Mont- 
real. General Carlton and the royal party with him made 
every preparation to go on board their armed vessels, and 
would probably have done so had they not been influenced 
by the information received from the spy, who made his 
escape from the Americans. This occasioned an altera- 
tion in their determination and resulted in General Carlton 
sending an armed force against the invaders. Allen had 
previously chosen his ground, but when he saw the number 
of the enemy as they sallied out of the town, he saw 



The Capture of Fort Ticonderoga. 93 

that it would be a day of trouble if not of rebuke. But, 
£ays he, I had no chance to flee, as Montreal is situated on 
an island, and the river St. Lawrence cut off my communi- 
cation with General Montgomery's camp. I encouraged 
my soldiery to bravely defend themselves — observing 
that we should soon have help, and that we should be able 
to keep the ground, if no more. This, and much more, I 
affirmed with the greatest seeming assurance and which 
in reality I thought to be in some degree probable. 

The enemy consisted of not more than forty regular 
troops together with a mixed multitude, chiefly Canadians, 
with a number of English who lived in the town, and a 
few Indians, in all, amounting to about five hundred men. 
The reader will notice that a majority of my party were 
Canadians. Indeed, it was a motley parcel of soldiery 
which composed both parties. However, the enemy 
began the attack from woodpiles, ditches, buildings and 
such like places, at a considerable distance and I returned 
them from a situation more than equally advantageous. 
The attack began between two and three o'clock in the 
afternoon, just before which I ordered a volunteer by the 
name of Richard Young, with a dotatchment of nine men, 
as a flank guard, to annoy the enemy under cover of the 
bank of the river and at the same time to serve as flank 
guard to the left wing of the main body. 

The fire continued for some time on both sides, but I 
was confident that such a remote method of attack could 
not carry the ground, provided it even continued until 
night. But about half the body of the enemy began to 
flank round to my right, upon which I ordered a volunteer 
by the name of John Dugan, who had lived many years 



94 Ethan Allen of Green Mountain Fame. 

in Canada and understood the French language, to detach 
about fifty of the Canadians and post himself in an advan- 
tageous ditch which was on my right, to prevent my 
being surrounded. He advanced with the detachment 
but instead of occupying the post, made his escape as 
did likewise, Mr. Young, upon the left with their detach- 
ments. I soon perceived that the enemy was in possession 
of the ground which Dugan should have occupied. At 
this time I had but about forty-five men with me, some 
of whom were wounded. The enemy continued to close 
around me; nor was it in my power to prevent it; by 
which means my situation, if advantageous in the begin- 
ning of the attack, ceased to be so at its close. Being 
almost entirely surrounded by such unequal numbers, I 
ordered a retreat, but found that those of the r-^-my who 
were of the country, and their Indians could run as fast 
as my men, though the regulars could not. Thus I re- 
treated nearly a mile, and some of the enemy, with the 
savages, were continually flanking me, and others crowding 
hard in the rear. In short, I expected, in a very short 
time, to try the world of spirits; for I was apprehensive 
that no quarter would be given to me, and therefore, I had 
determined to sell my life as dearly as I could. 

One of the enemy's officers, boldly pressing in th^ rear, 
discharged his fusee at me. The ball whistled near me, as 
did many others that day. I returned the saluto but 
missed him, as running had put us both nearly out of 
breath, for I conclude we were not frightened. I then 
saluted him with my tongue in a harsh manner and told 
him that inasmuch as his numbers were so far sup ^or 
to mine, I would surrender, provided I could be treated 



The Capture of Fort Ticonderoga. 95 

with honor, and be assured of good quarter for myself and 
the men who were with me. He answered that I should. 
Another officer coming up soon after, confirmed the treaty 
upon which I agreed to surrender with my party, which 
then consisted of thirty-one effective men, and some 
wounded. I ordered them to ground their arms, which 
they did. 

The officer I capitulated to then directed me and my 
party to advance towards him, which was done. I handed 
him my sword, and in half a minute after, a savage, part 
of whose head was shaved, being almost naked and painted, 
with feathers intermixed with the hair on the other side 
of his head, came running towards me with incredible 
swiftness. He seemed to advance with more than mortal 
speed. As he approached near me, his hellish visage was 
beyond all description. Snakes' eyes appear innocent in 
comparison with his. His features were distorted, and 
malice, death and murder were depicted upon his counte- 
nance; and, when within less than twelve feet of me, 
presented his musket. At the instant of his presenting, I 
twitched the officer to whom I gave my sword, between 
myself and him. He flew round with great fury, trying 
to single me out to shoot me without killing the officer, 
but by this time I was nearly as nimble as he — keeping the 
officer in such a position that his danger was my defence. 
In less than a minute afterwards, I was attacked by just 
such another imp. I then made the officer fly around with 
incredible swiftness. One of the Canadians lost an eye, 
as it appeared afterwards, in taking my part; and soon 
after an Irishman came to my assistance with a fixed 
bayonet, and drove away the savages, swearing that he 



96 Ethan Allen of Green Mountain Fame. 

would kill them. This tragic scene composed my mind; 
The escape from so awful a death made even imprison- 
ment happy, the more so as my conquerors on the field 
treated me with great civility and politeness. 

The regular officers said they were very happy to see 
Colonel Allen. I answered them that I should rather 
chosen to have seen them at General Montgomery's 
camp. They replied that they gave full credit to what I 
said; and I walked into the town, which was, as I should 
think, a distance of more than two miles — a British officer 
walking at my right hand and one of the French noblesse 
at my left. The latter was in the action and had his brow 
carried away by a glancing shot, but was, nevertheless, 
very facetious. No abuse was offered me, until I came 
to the barrack yard, where I met General Orescott, who 
asked me my name, which I told him. He then asked me 
whether I was the Colonel Allen who took Ticonderoga. 
I told him I was the very man. He then shook his cane 
over my head calling me many hard names; among 
which he frequently used the word rebel and put himself 
in a great rage. I told him he would do well not to cane 
me, as I was not accustomed to it, and shook my fist at him, 
telling him that that was the beetle of mortality for him, 
if he offered to strike; upon which Captain McCloud, of 
the British, pulled him by the coat and v/hispered to him, 
as he afterwards told me, to the import that it would 
be inconsistent with his honor to strike a prisoner. He 
then ordered a sergeant's command, with fixed bayonets, 
to come forward and kill thirteen Canadians, which were 
included in the treaty aforesaid. It cut me to the heart 
to see the Canadians in so hard a case, in consequence of 



Tlie Capture of Fort Ticonderoga. 97 

their having been true to me; they were wringing their 
hands, saying their prayers, as I concluded and expected 
immediate death. I therefore stepped between the exe- 
cutioners and the Canadians, opened my clothes and told 
General Prescott to thrust his bayonet into my breast for 
I was the sole cause of the Canadians taking up arms. 

The guards, in the meantime, were rolling their eye- 
balls from the General to me, as though impatiently 
waiting his dread commands to sheath their bayonets in 
my heart. I could, however, plainly discern that he was 
in a suspense and quandary about the matter. This gave 
me additional hopes of succeeding, for my design was not 
to die, but to save the Canadians by a finesse. The Gen- 
eral stood a minute, when he made me the following reply: 
" I will not execute you now but you shall grace a halter 
at Tyburn, G — d d — n you." 

I remember I disdained his mentioning such a place. 
I was, notwithstanding, a little pleased with the expres- 
sion, as it significantly conveyed to me the idea of post- 
poning the present appearance of death; besides his 
sentence was by no means final as to gracing a halter, 
although I had anxiety about it after I landed in England. 

General Prescott then ordered one of his officers to 
take me on board the Gaspee schooner of war, and confine 
me, hands and feet, in irons, which was done the same 
afternoon I was taken. 

The action continued an hour and three quarters, by 
the watch, and I know not to this day how many of my 
men were killed, though I think there were but few; if 
I remember right, seven were wounded. One of them, 
William Stewart by name, was wounded by a savage ^^ "^ n 



98 Efhan Allen of Green Mountain Fame. 

a tomahawk after he was taken prisoner and disarmed, 
but was rescued be some of the generous enemy and so 
far recovered of his wounds that he afterwards went with 
the other prisoners to England. , 

Of the enemy killed was a Major Garden, who had been 
wounded in eleven different battles, and an eminent 
merchant, Patterson, of Montreal, and some others; but 
I never knew their loss, as their accounts were different. 
I am apprehensive that it is rare that so much ammuni- 
tion was expended, and so little execution done by it, 
though such of my party as stood their ground behaved 
with great fortitude, much exceeding that of the enemy, 
but were not the best of marksmen and I am apprehensive 
were all killed or taken; the wounded were all put into 
the hospital at Montreal, and those who were not, were 
put on board of different vessels in the river and shackled 
together by pairs, viz., two men fastened together by one 
handcuff being closely fixed to one wrist of each of 
them, and treated with the greatest severity, nay, as 
criminals. 

Now as to the description of the irons that were put 
on me. The hand-cuff was of a common size and form, 
but my leg irons, I should imagine, would weigh forty 
pounds. The bar was eight feet long and very substantial; 
the shackles, which encompassed my ankles were very 
tight. I was told by the officer who put them on that it 
was the King's plate, and I heard another of their officers 
say that it too would weigh forty-weight. The irons were so 
close upon my ankles that I could not lie down in any 
other manner than on my back. I was put into the 
lowest and most wretched part of the vessel, where I got 



Tlie Capture of Fort Ticonderoga. 99 

the favor of a chest to sit on; the same answered for my 
bed at night, and having procured some httle blocks of 
the guard, who day and night with fixed bayonets, 
watched over me, to lie under each end of the large bar 
of my leg-irons to preserve my ankles from galling, while 
I sat on the chest or lay back on the same, though most of 
the time, night and day, I sat on it ; but at length, having a 
desire to lie down on my side, which the closeness of the 
irons forbid, I desired the Captain to loosen them for that 
purpose, but was denied the favor. The Captain's name 
was Royal, who did not seem to be an ill-natured man, but 
oftentimes said that his express orders were to treat me 
with such severity which was disagreeable to his own 
feelings; nor did he ever insult me, though many others 
who came on board did. One of the officers by the name 
of Bradley was very generous to me ; he would often send 
me victuals from his own table, nor did a day fail but he 
sent me a good drink of grog. 

The reader is now invited back to the time I was put 
into irons. I requested the privilege to write to General 
Prescott, which was granted. I reminded him of the kind 
and generous manner of my treatment of the prisoners I 
took at Ticonderoga; the injustice and ungentleman-like 
usage which I had met with from him, and demanded 
gentleman-like usage, but received no answer from him. 
I soon after wrote to General Carlton which met the same 
success. In the meanwhile, many of those who were 
permitted to see me were very insulting. 

I was confined in the manner I have related, on board 
the Gaspee schooner for about six weeks; during which 
time I was obliged to throw out plenty of extravagant 

L.ofC. 



100 Etlian Allen of Green Mountain Fame. 

language which answered certain purposes at that time 
better than to grace a history. 

To give an instance upon being insulted, in a fit of 
anger, I twisted off a nail with my teeth which I took to 
be a ten-penny nail; it went through the mortice of the 
bar of my hand-cuff, and at the same time I swaggered 
over those who abused me, particularly a Doctor Dauce, 
who told me that I v/as outlawed by New York and de- 
served death for several years past, was at last fully 
ripened for the halter and in a fair way to obtain it. When 
I challenged him, he excused himself in consequence, as he 
said, of my being a criminal; but I flung such a flood of 
language at him that it shocked him and the spectators, 
for my anger was very great. I heard one say, damn 
him, can he eat iron? After that a small padlock was 
fixed to the hand-cuff instead of the nail, and as they were 
mean spirited in their treatment of me so it appeared to 
me, that they were equally timorous and cowardly. 



CHAPTER VIII. 

CARRIED A PRISONER TO ENGLAND. 

Colonel Allen, with the other prisoners, was taken to 
an armed vessel which was lying before Quebec, under 
the command of Captain McCloud of the British Admi- 
ralty, who extended toward him the courtesy due from 
one officer to another, and the kindness due misfortune. 
The next day, however, he apparently with reluctance 
bade Allen farewell, but his good fortune still continued. 
Captain Littlejohn, the officer to whose vessel he was 
transferred, was polite, generous and friendly, while the 
under officers were equally as kind in their treatment of 
him. The best the vessel afforded was at Allen's dis- 
posal, and what was equally gratifying to his feelings, 
he was permitted to occupy comfortable quarter in the 
cabin, the irons having been removed. Captain Little- 
john declared that a brave man should not be used as 
a rascal on board his ship. 

In his ''Narrative," Allen relates the following inci- 
dent which occurred while he was on board this vessel^ 
which will give the reader an insight into the confidence 
entertained by the commander for his honor and upright- 
ness, and also to show his willingness at any time and 
under any circumstances to brave any and all dangers. 

Captain Littlejohn used to go to Quebec almost every 
day, in order to pay his respects to certain ladies and gent- 

101 



102 Ethan Allen of Green Mountain Fame. 

lemen; being there on a certain day he happened to meet 
with some disagreeable treatment, as he imagined, from 
the Lieutenant of a man-of-war, and one word brought on 
another, until the Lieutenant challenged him to a duel 
on the plains of Abraham. Captain Little John was a 
gentleman who entertained a high sense of honor and 
could do no less than accept the challenge. They were to 
fight at nine o'clock the next morning. The Captain re- 
turned in the evening and acquainted his Lieutenant and 
Allen with the affair. His Lieutenant was a high blooded 
Scotchman as well as himself, who replied to his Captain 
that he should not want for a second. With this, says Allen, 
I interrupted him and gave the Captain to understand that 
since an opportunity had presented, I would be glad to 
testify my gratitude to him, by acting the part of a faithful 
second, on which he gave me his hand and said that he 
wanted no better man. Says he, I am a King's officer 
and you a prisoner under my care; you must therefore, 
go with me to the place appointed under disguise; he 
further added, you must engage me upon the honor of a 
gentleman, that whether I die or live, or whatever happens, 
provided you live, that you will return to my Lieutenant, 
on board this ship. All this I solemnly promised him. 
The combatants were to discharge each a pocket pistol 
and then to fall on with their iron hilted muckle whangers ; 
and one of that sort was allotted for me; but some British 
officers who interposed early in the morning settled the 
controversy without fighting 

After enjoying eight or nine days comparative freedom 
from the polite and generous treatment of Captain Little- 
john and his officers, Allen parted with them in a friendly 



Carried a Prisoner to England. 103 

manner, and with much regret. At the period of his re- 
moval, a detachment from the army under General Arnold 
appeared at Point Levi opposite Quebec. The troops 
had performed an extraordinary march through the wil- 
derness for the purpose of surprising the capital city of 
Canada; to this fact perhaps is to be attributed Allen's 
change of quarters. He was now removed to a vessel 
called the ''Adamant" together with the other American 
prisoners and put under the guard of an English mer- 
chant from London named Brook Watson; he is said to 
have been of a malicious and cruel disposition and easily 
excited when exercising his authority. His advisers 
were Colonel Guy Johnson, Colonel Closs and their attend- 
ants and associates, to the number of about thirty, mostly 
tories. The ship's crew, however, with the exception of 
Colonel Closs, in his personal behavior, treated the pris- 
oners with that spirit of bitterness, which, says Allen, is 
the peculiar characteristic of tories, when they have the 
friend of America in their power — measuring their loyalty 
to the English king by the barbarity, fraud and deceit 
which they exercise towards the whigs. 

A small place in the vessel enclosed with rough boards 
had been prepared for the prisoners, Allen among the 
rest — it being about twenty feet one way and twenty-two 
the other. Into this confined place they were all, to the 
number of thirty-four, thrust and hand-cuffed. In this 
circumference, we were obliged, says Allen, to eat and 
sleep during the voj^age to England; and were insulted 
by every blackguard sailor and tory on board in the 
cruelest manner; but what is the most surprising, not 
one of us died during the passage. When I was first 



104 Ethan Allen of Green Monntain Fame. 

ordered to go into the filthy enclosure, through a small 
door, I positively refused, and endeavored to reason the 
before named Brook Watson out of a conduct so deroga- 
tory to every sentiment of honor and humanity, but all 
to no purpose, my men being forced into the den already, 
the rascal, who had charge of the prisoners, commanded 
me to go immediately in among the rest. He further 
added that the place was good enough for a rebel — that 
it was impertinent for a capital offender to talk of honor 
or humanity; that anything short of a halter was too 
good for me; and that that would be my portion soon 
after I landed in England and for which purpose only I was 
sent thither. About the same time a Lieutenant among 
the tories insulted me in a grievous manner, saying that 
I ought to have been executed for my rebellion against 
New York, and spit in my face; upon which, though I 
was hand-cuffed, I sprang at him, with both hands and 
knocked him partly down, but he scrambled along into 
the cabin and I after him. There he got under the pro- 
tection of some men with fixed bayonets, who were orderd 
to make ready to drive me into the place afore-mentioned, 
I challenged him to fight, notwithstanding the impedi- 
ments that were on my hands, and had the exalted pleasure 
to see the rascal tremble for fear; his name I have for- 
gotten, but Watson ordered his guard to get me into the 
place with the other prisoners, dead or alive; and I had 
almost as leave die as do it, standing out till they sur- 
rounded me with bayonets — brutish, prejudiced, aban- 
doned wretches they were, from whom I could expect 
nothing but death or wounds. However, I told them 
that they were good honest fellows ; that I could not blame 



Carried a Prisoner to England. 105 

them; that I was only in dispute with a calico merchant, 
who knew not how to behave towards a gentleman of the 
military establishment. This I spoke rather to appease 
them for my own preservation, as well as to treat Watson 
with contempt; but still I found that they were deter- 
mined to force me into the wretched circumstances, which 
their prejudiced and depraved minds had prepared for me. 
Therefore, rather than die, I submitted to their indignities, 
being driven with bayonets into the filthy dungeon with 
the other prisoners, where we were denied fresh water, 
except a small allowance which was very inadequate to 
our wants; and, in consequence of the stench of the place, 
each of us was soon followed with a dysentery and fever, 
which occasioned an intolerable thirst. When we asked 
for water we were most commonly, instead of obtaining 
it, insulted and derided; and to add to all the horrors of 
the place, it was so dark that we could not see each other, 
and were overspread with body lice. We had, notwith- 
standing these severities full allowance of salt provisions, 
and a gill of rum per day ; the latter of which was of the 
utmost service to us and probably was the means of 
saving several of our lives. 

About forty days we existed in this manner, when 
Land's End, England, was discovered from the mast- 
head, soon after the prisoners were taken from their 
gloomy abode, being permitted to see the light of the sun 
and breathe fresh air, which to us was very refreshing. 
The day following we landed at Falmouth. A few days 
before I was taken prisoner, I shifted my clothes, in which 
I happened to be taken; a Canadian dress, viz., a short 
fawn skin jacket, double breasted, an under vest and 



106 Ethan Allen of Green Mountain Fame. 

breeches of sagathy, worsted stockings, a decent pair of 
shoes, two plain shirts and a red worsted cap. This was 
all the clothing I had, in which I made my appearance 
in England. The landing of the prisoners at Falmouth 
created considerable commotion among the citizens of that 
place, excited as they were by the report that the con- 
queror of Ticonderoga was among them. Numbers of the 
people were on the roofs of the houses, and the rising 
grounds adjacent were covered with both sexes. The 
throng was so great that the King's officers were obliged 
to draw their swords and force a passage to Pendennis 
castle, which was about a mile from the town, where the 
prisoners^ upon arrival, were closely confined in conse- 
quence of orders from General Carlton who was then in 
command of the English forces in Canada. 

Brook Watson, who had so shamefully abused and 
insulted the prisoners, immediately upon landing, started 
for London, expecting to receive a reward for his inhu- 
manity; but the Ministry received him with contempt — 
the whigs, who were in the minority in Parliament, 
arguing that the opposition of America to Great Britain 
was not a rebellion, but a measure justified by the nu- 
merous evils to which they had been subjected by the 
oppressive policy of the Ministry. This was the position 
assumed by Pitt, Burke and other friends of America. If 
it be a rebellion, they urged, why do you not execute 
Allen according to law? Why not give him an impartial 
trial? Why destroy his life by a course of slow and 
humiliating punishment? The majority (the Tories), 
maintained that the opposition of the Americans was 
really a rebellion, and that Allen deserved death; but that 



Carried a Prisoner to England. 107 

policy obliged them to spare his life, inasmuch as the 
Americans were in possession of the greatest number of 
prisoners. So that Allen being sent to England for the 
purpose of being executed was rather a foil of their laws 
and authority; many strongly disapproving of his having 
been sent there. The result of the deliberations of Parlia- 
ment, as well as the public sentiment however, never came 
to Allen's knowledge until after his arrival in America. 

The reader will readily perceive that Allen was anxious 
about his preservation, knowing that he was a prisoner 
in a foreign country, and his keepers cruel and brutal. 
Therefore, says Allen, the first proposition which I deter- 
mined in my own mind was that humanity and moral 
suasion would not be consulted in the determining of 
my fate, and those that daily came in great numbers, 
out of curiosity to see me, both gentle and simple, united 
in this, that I would be hanged. A gentleman from 
America, by the name of Temple, and who was friendly 
to me just whispered to me in the ear, and told me that 
bets were laid in London that I would be executed; he 
likewise privately gave me a guinea, but durst say very 
little to me. 

However, agreeable to my first negative proposition 
that moral virtue would not influence my destiny, I had 
recourse to stratagem, which I was in hopes would move 
in the circle of their policy. I requested of the com- 
mander of the castle the privilege of writing to Congress, 
who after consulting with an officer that lived in town, of 
a superior rank, permitted me to write. I wrote in the 
fore part of my letter a short narrative of my ill treatment, 
but withal let them know that though I was treated as 



108 Ethan Allen of Green Mountain Fame. 

a criminal in England, and continued in irons, together 
with those taken with me, yet it was in consequence of the 
orders which the commander of the castle received from 
General Carlton; I therefore, desired Congress to desist 
from matters of retaliation until they should know the 
result of the government in England respecting their ill 
treatment towards me and govern themselves accord- 
ingly, with a particular request that if retaliation should 
be found necessary, it might be exercised not according 
to the smallness of my character in America, but in pro- 
portion to the importance of the cause for which I suf- 
fered. This is according to my present recollection, the 
substance of the letter, inscribed, ''To the Illustrious 
Continental Congress." This letter was written with a 
view that it should be sent to the Ministry at London, 
rather than to Congress, with a design to intimidate the 
haughty English government and screen my neck from 
the halter. 

The next day the officer, from whom I obtained license 
to write , came to see me and frowned on me on account 
of the impudence of the letter, as he phrased it, and 
further added. Do you think we are fools in England and 
would send your letter to Congress v/ith instructions to 
retaliate on our own people? I have sent orders to Lord 
North. This gave me inward satisfaction, though I 
carefully concealed it with a pretended resentment, for I 
found I had come Yankee over him, and that the letter 
had gone to the identical person I had designed it for. 
Nor do I know to this day but that it had the desired 
effect, though I have not heard anything of the letter 
since. 



Carried a Prisoner to England. 109 

My personal treatment by Lieutenant Hamilton, wh 
commanded the castle, was very generous. He sent mt 
every day a fine breakfast and dinner from his own table, 
and a bottle of good wine. Another aged gentleman, 
whose name I cannot recollect, sent me a good supper; 
but there was no distinction in public support between me 
and the privates. We were all lodged in a sort of Dutch 
bunk, in one common apartment and were allowed straw. 
The privates were well supplied with fresh provisions, and, 
with me, took effectual measures to rid themselves of 
lice. 

I could not but feel inwardly, extremely anxious for 
my fate. This, however, I concealed from the prisoners 
as well as from the enemy who were perpetually shaking 
the halter at me. Nevertheless I treated them with 
scorn and contempt; and, having sent my letter to the 
ministry, could conceive of nothing more in my power 
but to keep up my spirits, behave in a daring, soldier-like 
manner, that I might exhibit a good sample of American 
fortitude. Such conduct, I judged, would have a more 
probable tendency to my preservation than concession 
and timidity. This, therefore, was my deportment; and 
I had lastly determined, in my own mind, that if a cruel 
death must inevitably be my portion, I would face it 
undaunted, and though I greatly rejoice that I have 
returned to my country and friends, and to see the 
power and pride of Great Britain humbled, yet I am con- 
fident I could then have died without the least appearance 
of dismay. 

I now clearly recollect that my mind was so resolved 
that I would not have trembled or shown the least fear, 



110 Ethan Allen of Green Mountain Fame. 

as I was sensible it could not alter my fate, nor do more 
than reproach my memory, make my last act despicable 
to my enemies, and eclipse the other actions of my life- 
For I reasoned thus, that nothing was more common than 
for men to die with their friends around them, weeping 
and lamenting over them, but not able to help them, 
which was, in reality, not different in the consequence of 
it, from such a death as I was apprehensive of; and as 
death was the natural consequence of animal life, to which 
the laws of nature subject mankind, to be timorous and 
uneasy as to the event or the manner of it, was incon- 
sistent with the character of a philosopher or soldier. 
The cause I was engaged in I ever viewed worthy hazard- 
ing my life for; nor was I in the most critical moments 
of trouble, sorry that I engaged in it. And as to the 
world of spirits, though I knew nothing of the mode or 
manner of it, I expected, nevertheless, when I should 
arrive at such a world, that I should be as well treated as 
other gentlemen of my merit. 

Among the great numbers of people who came to the 
castle to see the prisoners, some gentlemen told me that 
they had come fifty miles on purpose to see me and de- 
sired to ask me a number of questions and to make free 
with me in conversation. I gave for my answer that I 
chose freedom in every sense of the word. Then one of 
them asked me what my occupation in life had been? I 
answered him that in my younger days I had studied 
divinity, but was a conjurer by profession. He replied 
that I conjured wrong at the time I was taken; and I 
was obliged to own that I mistook a figure at that time, 
but that I had conjured them out of Ticonderoga. This 



Carried a Prisoner to England. Ill 

was a place of great notoriety in England, so that the joke 
seemed to go in my favor. 

It was a common thing for me to be taken out of close 
confinement into a spacious green in the castle or rather 
parade, where numbers of gentlemen and ladies were 
ready to see and hear me. I often entertained such 
audiences with harangues on the impracticability of Great 
Britain conquering the colonies of America. At one of 
these times I asked a gentlemen for a bowl of punch, and 
he ordered his servant to bring it, which he did, and 
offered it to me; but I refused to take it from the hand of 
his servant — he then gave it to me with his own hand, 
refusing to drink with me, in consequence of my being a 
state criminal. However, I took the punch and drank 
it all down at one draught, and handed the gentleman the 
bowl. This made the spectators, as well as myself, merry. 

I expatiated on American freedom. This gained the 
resentment of a young beardless gentleman of the com- 
pany who gave himself very great airs and replied, that 
he '^knew the Americans very well, and was certain that 
they could not bear the smell of powder. " I replied that 
I accepted it as a challenge and was ready to convince 
him on the spot, that an American could bear the smell 
of powder; at which he answered that he should not put 
himself on a par with me. I then demanded of him to 
treat the character of the Americans with due respect. 
He answered that I was an Irishman; but I assured him, 
that I was a full-blooded Yankee; and in fine, bantered 
him so much that he left me in possession of the ground, 
and the laugh went against him. Two clergymen cam^e 
to see me and, inasmuch as they behaved with civility^ I 



112 Ethan Allen of Green Mountain Fame, 

returned them the same. We discoursed on several parts 
of moral philosophy and Christianity and they seemed to 
be surprised that I should be acquainted with such topics 
or that I should understand a syllogism, or regular mode 
of argumentation. I am apprehensive my Canadian 
dress contributed not a little to the surprise, and excite- 
ment of curiosity. To see a gentleman in England, 
regularly dressed, and well behaved would be no sight at 
all; but such a rebel as they were pleased to call me, it 
is probable, was never before seen in England. 

The prisoners were landed at Falmouth a few days 
before Christmas and ordered on board the Solbay frigate 
commanded by Captain Symonds, the 8th day of January, 
1776, when our hand irons were taken off. This remove 
was in consequence, as I have been since informed, of a 
writ of habeas corpus which had been procured by some 
gentlemen in England, in order to obtain me my liberty. 
The Solbay, with sundry other men-of-war and about 
forty transports, rendezvoused at the cove of Cork in 
Ireland, to take in provisions and water. 

When we were first brought on board. Captain Symonds 
ordered all the prisoners and most of the hands on board 
to go on deck, and caused to be read in their hearing, a 
certain code of laws, or rules for the regulation and order- 
ing of their behavior; and then, in a sovereign manner, 
ordered the prisoners, me in particular off the deck, and 
never to come on it again for, he said, this is a place for 
gentlemen to walk. So I went off, an officer following 
me, who told me that he would show me the place allotted 
for me and took me down to the cable tire, saying to me, 
This is your place. 



Carried a Prisoner to England. 113 

Prior to this I had taken cold by which I was in an ill 
state of health, and did not say much to the officer, but 
stayed there that night — consulted my policy, and found 
I was in an evil case ; that a Captain of a man-of-war was 
more arbitrary than a king, as he could view his territory 
with a look of his eye, and a movement of his finger com- 
manded obedience. I felt myself more despondent than 
I had at any time before ; for I concluded it to be a govern- 
mental scheme to do that, clandestinely, which policy 
forbid to be done under sanction of public justice and law. 

However, two days later, I shaved and cleaned myself 
as well as I could and went on deck. The Captain spoke 
to me in a great rag^, and said. Did I not order you not to 
come on deck? I answered him that at the same time he 
said that it was the place for gentlemen to walk; that I 
was Colonel Allen, but had not been prpoperly introduced 
to him. He replied, G — d d— n you, sir, be careful not 
to walk the same side of the deck that I do. This gave 
me encouragement, and ever after that I walked in the 
manner he had directed, except when he at certain times 
afterwards ordered me off in a passion, and I then would 
directly afterwards go on again, telling him to command 
his slaves, that I was a gentleman and had a right to walk 
the deck; yet, when he expressly ordered me off, I obeyed, 
not out of obedience to him but to set an example to his 
ship's crew, who ought to obey him. 

To walk to the windward side of the deck is, according 
to custom, the prerogative of the Captain of a man-of-war, 
though he oftentimes, nay, commonly, walks with his 
Lieutenants, when no strangers are by. When a Captain 
of another man-of-Avar comes on board the two Captains 



114 Ethan Allen of Green Mountain Fame. 

walk to the windward side while the other officers walk 
on the leeward side. 

It was but a few nights I lodged in the cable tire before 
I gained an acquaintance with the master of arms. His 
name was Gillegan, an Irishman, who was a generous and 
well-disposed man, and in a friendly manner made me 
an offer of living with him in a little berth which was 
allotted him between decks and enclosed with canvas ; his 
preferment on board was about equal to that of sergeant 
in a regiment. I was comparatively happy in acceptance 
of this clemency and lived with him in friendship till the 
frigate anchored in the harbor of Cape Fear, North Caro- 
lina. 



CHAPTER IX. 

RETURN TO AMERICA. 

Allen's detention in England was of short duration. 
When removed from the dungeon, in which he was con- 
fined during the six weeks' voyage across the Atlantic, he 
little expected ever again to step aboard a ship. He had 
bid farewell to his friends and country when taken aboard 
the Gaspee in the harbor of Quebec, bound for England. 
He had been told on many occasions that he would grace 
the end of a halter as soon as he was safely landed in 
England, and from all indications, he fully expected the 
fulfilment of this promised reward. He was very much 
surprised, therefore, and doubtless rejoiced inwardly, 
when ordered aboard the Solbay, which he soon learned 
was bound for the Carolinas. 

The chief reason not only for Allen's early return to 
America, as it afterwards transpired, but also those who 
were taken prisoners at the same time, was to enable the 
British, at short notice, to effect an exchange of officers 
of equal rank, together with as many prisoners as they 
could conveniently carry back to America in the Solbay. 

The Americans had been unusually active during the 
winter of 1775 and '76, and in consequence had effected 
the capture not only of men and stores but also of a 
number of British officers and troops. These, Lord Howe 
was anxious to regain and doubtless urged the return to 

115 



116 Ethan Allen of Green Mountain Fame. 

America, not only of Allen, but of all other acknowledged 
leaders of the Revolution then confined in British dun- 
geons. While Allen did not hold a Colonel's commission, 
the services he rendered the patriot cause in the taking 
of Fort Ticonderoga placed him little below Washington 
in the esteem of his countrymen. 

Among the officers captured by the Americans was a 
Colonel Archibald Campbell, whose release the British 
were very desirous of effecting, and since Allen held the 
rank of Colonel by common consent. Lord Howe reasoned 
that the Americans would be quite willing to make the 
exchange. It was decided, therefore, to await the return 
of Allen when Washington would immediately be in- 
formed of the desired action with respect to their 
prisoners. 

Nothing of material consequence happened while the 
fleet rendezvoused at the Cove of Cork, Ireland except a 
violent storm, which brought old, hardy sailors to their 
prayers. It was rumored in Cork that Allen was on board 
the Solbay, with a number of prisoners from America, on 
which Messrs. Clark and Hays, merchants, together with 
a number of other benevolently disposed gentlemen, 
contributed largely to the relief and support of the 
prisoners, who were thirty-four in number, and in very 
needy circumstances. A suit of clothes from head to foot 
including an overcoat or surtout, and two shirts, were 
bestowed on each of them. I received, says Allen, in super- 
fine broadcloths, sufficient for two jackets, and two pairs 
of breeches, overplus of a suit throughout, eight fine 
Holland shirts and socks ready made, with a number of 
pairs of silk and worsted hose, two pair shoes, two beaver 



Return to America. 117 

hats, one of which was sent me richly laced with gold, by 
Mr. James Bonwell. The Irish gentlemen furthermore 
made a large gratuity of wines of the best sort, old spirits, 
loaf and brown sugar, coffee, tea, chocolate, with a large 
round of pickled beef and a number of fat turkeys, with 
many other articles for my sea stores, too tedious to 
mention here. To the privates, they bestowed on each 
man, two pounds of tea and six pounds of brown sugar. 
These articles were received on board at a time when the 
Captain and First Lieutenant were gone on shore, by 
permission of the second Lieutenant, a handsome young 
gentleman who was then under twenty-two years of age ; 
his name was Douglas, the son of Admiral Douglas, as 
I was informed. 

As this munificence was so unexpected and plentiful, 
I may add, needful, it impressed on my mind the highest 
sense of gratitude towards my benefactors, for I was not 
only supplied with the necessaries and conveniences of 
life, but with the grandeur and superfluities of it. Mr. 
Hays, one of the donors before mentioned, came on board 
and behaved in the most obliging manner, telling me that 
he hoped my troubles were past; he was determined, he 
said, to make my sea stores equal to those of the Captain 
of the Solbay. He made an offer of live stock and where- 
with to support them, but I knew this would be denied; 
and to crown all he sent me by another person, fifty 
guineas; but I could not be reconciled to receiving the 
whole, as it might have the appearance of avarice; I 
therefore only received seven, and am confident not only 
from the exercise of the present well-timed generosity, 
but from a large acquaintance with gentlemen of this 



118 Ethan Allen of Green Mountain Fame. 

nation, that as a people the Irish excel in liberality and 
bravery. 

Two days after the receipt of the aforesaid donations, 
Captain Symonds came on board full of envy towards the 
prisoners, and swore by all that is good, that the d — d 
American rebels should not be feasted at this rate, by the 
d — d rebels of Ireland; he therefore took away all my 
liquors before mentioned, except some of the wine which 
was secreted, and a two gallon jug of old spirits, which was 
reserved for me per favor of Lieutenant Douglas. The 
taking of my liquors was abominable in the sight of 
Lieutenant Douglas ; he therefore spoke in my behalf, till 
the Captain was angry with him and in consequence 
proceeded to take away all the tea and sugar which had 
been given to the prisoners and confiscated it to the use 
of the ship's crew. Our clothing was not taken away, 
but the privates were forced to do duty on board. Soon 
after this there came a boat to the side of the ship and 
Captain Symonds asked a gentleman who was in it, in 
my hearing, what his business was. He answered that 
he was sent to deliver some sea-stores to Colonel Ethan 
Allen which, if I remember right, he said were sent from 
Dublin, but the Captain damned him heartily, ordered 
him away from the ship, and would not suffer him to 
deliver the stores. I was furthermore informed that the 
gentlemen from Cork requested of Captain Symonds, that 
I might be allowed to come into the city and that they 
would be responsible I should return to the frigate at a 
given time, which was denied them. 

We sailed from England the 8th day of January, and 
from the Cove of Cork on the 12th day of February. Just 



Return to America. 119 

before we sailed the prisoners who were with me were 
divided and put on board three different ships of war. 
This gave me some uneasiness, for they were to a man 
zealous in tho cause of liberty and behaved with a be- 
coming fortitude in the various scenes of their captivity; 
but those who were distributed on board other ships of 
war, were much better used than those who tarried with 
me, as appeared afterwards. When the fleet, which con- 
sisted of about forty-five sail, including five men-of-war, 
sailed from the Cove with a fresh breeze, the appearance 
was beautiful, abstracted from the unjust and bloody 
designs they had in view. We had not sailed many days 
before a mighty storm arose which lasted nearly twenty- 
four hours without intermission. The wind blew with 
relentless fury and no man could remain on deck except 
he was lashed fast, for the waves rolled over the deck by 
turns, with a forcible rapidity, and every soul on board 
was anxious for the preservation of the ship, and their 
lives. In this storm the Thunder-bomb man-of-war 
sprang a leak and was afterwards floated to some part of 
the coast of England, and the crew saved. We were then 
said to be in the Bay of Biscay. After the storm had 
abated, I could plainly discern that the prisoners were 
better used for some considerable time. 

Nothing of consequence happened after this, till we 
had sailed to the Island of Madeira, except a certain 
favor which I received of Captain Symonds, in conse- 
quence of an application I made to him for the privilege 
of his tailor to make me a suit of clothes of the cloth be- 
stowed on me in Ireland, which he generously granted. 
I could then walk the deck with a seeming better grace. 



120 Ethan Allen of Green Mountain Fame. 

When we had reached Maderia, and anchored, sundry 
gentlemen with the Captain went on shore, who I con- 
clude gave the rumor that I was in the frigate, upon 
which I soon after found Irish generosity was again 
excited, for a gentleman of that nation sent his clerk on 
board to know of me if I would accept a sea-store from him, 
particularly of wine. This matter I made known to the 
generous Lieutenant Douglas who readily granted me the 
favor, provided the articles could be brought on board 
during the time of his com«iand; adding that it would 
be a pleasure to him to serve me, notwithstanding the 
opposition he met with before. So I directed the gentle- 
man's clerk to inform him that I was greatly in need of 
so signal a charity and desired the young gentleman to 
make the utmost dispatch, which he did ; but in the mean- 
time Captain Symonds and his officers came on board, 
and immediately made ready for sailing. The wind at 
the same time being fair, we set sail when the young gentle- 
man was in fair sight with the aforesaid store. 

The reader will doubtless recollect the seven guineas 
I received at the Cove of Cork. These enabled me to 
purchase of the purser what I wanted, had not the Captain 
strictly forbidden it, though I made sundry applications 
to him for that purpose, but his answer to me when I was 
sick that it was no matter how soon I was dead, and that 
he was nowise anxious to preserve the lives of rebels, but 
wished them all dead; that was indeed the language of 
most of the ship's crew. I expostulated not only with 
the Captain, but with other gentlemen on board, on the 
unreasonableness of such usage ; inferring that, inasmuch 
as the government in England did not proceed against 



% Eeturn to America. 121 

me as a capital offender, they should not; for that they 
were by no Means empowered by any authority, either 
civil or military, to do so; for the English government 
had acquitted me by sending me back a prisoner of war 
to America, and that they should treat me as such. I 
further drew an inference of impolicy on them, provided 
they should by hard usage destroy my life; inasmuch as 
I might, if living, redeem one of their officers; but the 
Captain replied that he needed no directions of mine how 
to treat a rebel; that the British would concjuer the 
American rebels, hang the Congress and such as pro- 
moted the rebellion, me in particular, and take their own 
prisoners; so that my life was of no consequence in the 
scale of their policy. I gave him for answer that if they 
stayed till they conquered America, before they hanged, 
I should die of old age, and desired that till such an event 
should take place, he would at least allow me to purchase 
of the purser with my own money, such articles as I 
greatly needed; but he would not permit it, and when I 
reminded him of the generous and civil usage that the 
prisoners held in captivity by the Americans met with, 
he said that it was not owing to their goodness, but to 
their timidity for. he said, they expect to be conquered 
and therefore dare not misuse our prisoners, and in fact 
this was the language of the British officers, till General 
Burgoyne was taken, happy event, and not only of the 
officers but of the whole British army. I appeal to all 
my brother prisoners, who have been with the British in 
the southern department, for a confirmation of what I 
have advanced on this subject. The surgeon of the Sol- 
bay, whose name was North, was a very humane and 



122 Ethan Allen of Green Mountain Fame. 

obliging man and took the best care of the prisoners who 
were sick. 

The 3d of May, the Solbay cast anchor in the harbor of 
Cape Fear, in North Carolina, as did Sir Peter Parker's 
ship of fifty guns, a little back of the bar; for there was 
no depth of water for him to come into the harbor. These 
two men-of-war and fourteen sail of transports and others, 
came after so that most of the fleet rendezvoused at Cape 
Fear for three Vv^eeks. The soldiers on board the trans- 
ports were sickly in consequence of so long a voyage ; added 
to this, the small-pox carried off many of them. They 
landed on the mainland and formed a camp, but the 
riflemen annoyed them and caused them to move to an 
island in the harbor; such cursing of riflemen I have never 
heard. 

A detachm.ent of regulars was sent up Brunswick 
river; as they landed they were fired on by those marks- 
men, and they came back next day damning the rebels 
for their unmanly ways of fighting and swearing that they 
would give no quarter for they took sight at them, and 
were behind timber skulking about. One of the de- 
tachments said they lost one man, but a negro who was 
with them and heard what they said, soon after told me 
that he helped to bury thirty-one of them. This did me 
some good to find my countrymen giving them battle, 
for I never heard such swaggering as among General 
Clinton's little army, who commanded at that time, and I 
am apt to think there were four thousand men, though 
not two-thirds of them fit for duty. I heard numbers of 
them say that the trees in America should hang well with 
fruit that campaign, for they would give no quarter. 



Return to America. 123 

This was in the mouths of those whom I heard speak on the 
subject, officers as well as soldiers. I wished at that time 
my countrymen knew as well as I did what a murdering 
and cruel enemy they had to deal with; but experience 
has since taught this country what they are to expect at 
the hands of Britons, when in their power. 

The prisoners, who had been sent on board different 
men-of-war, at the Cove of Cork, were collected together 
and the whole of them put on board the Mercury frigate, 
Captain Montague, except one of the Canadians who died 
on the passage from Ireland, and Peter Noble who made 
his escape from the Sphinx man-of-war, in this harbor 
and by extraordinary swimming, got safe home to New 
England and gave intelligence of the usage of his brother 
prisoners. The Mercury set sail from this port for Halifax 
about the 20th of May, and Sir Peter Parker was about 
to sail with the land force, under the command of General 
Clinton, for the reduction of Charleston in South Caro- 
lina, and when I heard of his defeat in Halifax, it gave 
me inexpressible satisfaction. 

Inowfoundmyself under a worse captain thanSymonds, 
for Montague was loaded with prejudice against every- 
body and everything that was not stamped with royalty; 
and being by nature underwitted, his wrath was heavier 
than the others, or at least his mind was in no instance 
liable to be diverted by good sense, humor or bravery, of 
which Symonds was, by turns, susceptible. A Captain 
Francis Proctor was added to our number of prisoners 
when we were first put on board this ship. This gentle- 
man had formerly belonged to the English service. The 
Captain, and in fact, all the gentlemen of the ship were 



124 Ethan Allen of Green Mountain Fame. 

very much incensed against him, and put him in irons 
without the least provocation, and he was continued in 
this miserable situation about three months. In this 
passage, the prisoners were infected with the scurvy, 
some of them more than others, but all quite severely. 
The ship's crew was to a great degree troubled with it, and 
I concluded it was catching. Several of the crew died 
with it on their passage. I was weak and feeble in conse- 
quence of so long and cruel a captivity, yet had but little 
of the scurvy. 

The purser was again expressly forbidden by the Cap- 
tain to let me have anything out of his store, upon which 
I went on deck and in the handsomest manner, requested 
the favor of purchasing a few necessaries of the purser, 
which was denied me. He further told me that I should 
be hanged as soon as I arrived at Halifax. I tried to 
reason the matter with him, but found him proof against 
reason. I also held up his honor to view and his be- 
havior to me and the prisoners in general as being de- 
rogatory in the extreme, but found his honor impene- 
trable. I then endeavored to touch his humanity, but 
found he had none, for his preposession of bigotry to his 
own party had confirmed him in an opinion that no 
humanity was due to unroyalists, but seemed to think 
that heaven and earth were made merely to gratify the 
King and his creatures. He uttered many unintelligible 
and grovelling ideas, a little tinctured with monarchy, 
but stood well to his text of hanging me. He afterwards 
forbade his surgeon to administer any help to the sick 
prisoners. I was every night shut down in the cable 
tire with the rest of the prisoners, and we all lived miser- 



Keturn to America. 125 

ably while under his power. But I received some gen- 
erosity from several of the midshipmen who, in a degree, 
alleviated my misery; one of their names was Putrass — 
the names of the others I do not now recollect; but they 
were obliged to be private in the bestowment of their 
favor which was sometimes good wine bitters, and at 
other times, a generous drink of grog. 

Some time in the first week of June, we came to 
anchor at the Hook, off New York, where we remained but 
three days, in which time Governor Tryon, Mr. Kemp, 
the old attorney-general of New York, and several other 
perfidious and overgrown tories and land-jobbers came 
on board. Tryon viewed me with a stern countenance as I 
was walking on the leeward side of the deck with the 
midshipmen; he and his companions were walking with 
the Captain and Lieutenant, on the windward side of the 
ship, but never spoke to me, though it is altogether prob- 
able that he thought of the old quarrel between him, the 
old government of New York, and the Green Mountain 
boys. They went with the Captain into the cabin and 
the same afternoon returned on board a vessel which lay 
near the Hook, where, at that time, they took sanctuary 
from the resentment of their injured country. What 
passed between the officers of the ship and these visitors 
I know not ; but this I know, that my treatment from the 
principal officers was more severe afterwards. 

We arrived at Halifax not far from the middle of June, 
where the ship's crew, which was infected with the scurvy, 
were taken on shore and shallow trenches dug, into which 
they were put and partly covered with earth. Indeed 
every proper measure was taken for their relief. The 



126 Ethan Allen of Green Mountain Fame. 

prisoners were not permitted any sort of medicine, but 
were put on board a sloop which lay in the harl)or near the 
town of Halifax, surrounded with several men-of-war 
and their tenders, and a guard constantly set over them, 
night and day. The sloop we had wholly to ourselves, 
except the guard who occupied the forecastle; here we 
were cruelly pinched with hunger. It seemed to me that 
we had not more than one-third of the common allowance. 
We were all seized with violent hunger and faintness. 
We divided our scanty allowance as exact as possible. I 
shared the same fate with the rest, and though they 
offered me more than an even share, I refused to accept 
it, as it was a time of substantial distress, which in my 
opinion I ought to partake equally with the rest, and set 
an example of virtue and fortitude to our little common- 
wealth. 

I sent letter after letter to Captain Montague, who 
still had the care of us, and also to his lieutenant, whose 
name I cannot call to mind, but could obtain no answer, 
much less a redress of grievances; and to add to the 
calamity, near a dozen of the prisoners were dangerously 
ill of the scurvy. I wrote private letters to the doctors 
to procure if possible some remedy for the sick, but in 
vain. The chief physician came by in a boat so close 
that the oars touched the sloop we were in and I uttered 
my complaint in the gentlest manner to him, but he 
never so much as turned his head, or made me any answer, 
though I continued speaking till he was out of hearing. 
Our cause then became very deplorable. Still I kept 
writing to the Captain, till he ordered the guards, as they 
told me, not to bring any more letters from me to him. 





<v.^^^ ^ 




Return to America. 127 

In the meantime an event happened worth relating. 
One of the men, almost dead of the scurvy, lay by the 
side of the sloop and a canoe of Indians coming by, he 
purchased two quarts of strawberries, and ate them at 
once and it almost cured him. The money he gave for 
them was all the money he had in the world. After that 
we tried every way to procure more of that fruit, reason- 
ing from analogy that they might have the same effect on 
others infected with the same disease, but could obtain 
none. 

Meanwhile the doctor's mate of the Mercury came pri- 
vately on board the prison sloop and presented me with 
a large vial of smart drops, which proved to be good for 
the scurvy, though vegetables and some other ingredients 
were requisite for a cure; but the drops gave at least a 
check to the disease. This was a well-timed exertion 
of humanity, but the doctor's name has slipped my 
mind, and in my opinion, it was the means of saving the 
lives of several men. 

The guard which was set over us, was by this time 
touched with the feelings of compassion, and I finally 
trusted one of them with a letter of complaint to Gov- 
ernor Arbuthnot of Halifax, which he found means to 
communicate, and which had the desired effect; for the 
Governor sent an officer and surgeon on board the prison- 
sloop to know the truth of the complaint. The officer's 
name was Russell, and held the rank of lieutenant, and 
treated me in a friendly and polite manner, and was 
really angry at the cruel and unmanly usage the prisoners 
met with, and with the surgeon made a. true report of 
matters to Governor Arbuthnot, who, either by his order 



128 Ethan Allen of Green Mountain Fame. 

or influence, took us next day from the prison-sloop to 
Halifax gaol, where I became acquainted with the now 
Honorable James Lovell, one of the members of Congress, 
for the State of Massachusetts Bay. The sick were taken 
to the hospital, and the Canadians who were effective, 
were employed in the King's works; and when their 
countrymen were recovered from the scurvy and joined 
them, they all deserted the King's employ and were not 
heard of at Halifax as long as the remainder of the prison- 
ers continued there, which was till the middle of October. 
We were on board the prison-sloop about six weeks, and 
were landed at Halifax near the middle of August. Sev- 
eral of our English-American prisoners who were cured 
of the scurvy at the hospital, made their escape from 
thence, and after a long time, reached their old habita- 
tions. 

I had now but thirteen with me of those who were 
taken in Canada, and remained in jail with me in Halifax, 
who, in addition to those who were imprisoned before, 
made our number about thirty-four; we were all locked 
up in one common large room without regard to rank, 
education or any other accomplishment, where we con- 
tinued from the setting to the rising sun, as sundry of 
them were infected with the scurvy and other distempers, 
the furniture of this spacious room consisted principally 
of excrement tubs. We petitioned for a removal of the 
sick to the hospitals, but were denied. We remon- 
strated against the ungenerous usage of being confined 
with the privates, as being contrary to the laws and cus- 
toms of nations, and particularly ungrateful in them in 
consequence of the gentleman-like usage which the 



Return to America. 129 

British imprisoned officers met with in America; and thus 
we wearied ourselves petitioning and remonstrating, but 
to no purpose at all, for General Massey, who commanded 
at Halifax, was as inflexible as the devil himself — a fine 
preparation this for Mr. Lovell, member of the Conti- 
nental Congress. 

Lieutenant Russell, whom I have mentioned before, 
came to visit me in prison, and assured me that he had 
done his utmost to procure my parole for enlargement ; 
at which a British captain, who was then the town major, 
expressed compassion for the gentlemen confined in the 
filthy place, and assured me that he had used his influence 
to procure their enlargement; his name was near like 
Ramsay. Among the prisoners there were six in number 
who had a legal claim to a parole, viz., James Lovell, Esq., 
Captain Francis Proctor, a Mr. Howland, master of a 
Continental armed vessel, a Mr. Taylor, his mate, and 
myself. 

As to the article of provision, we were all served much 
better than in any part of my captivity; and since it was 
Mr. Lovell's misfortune and mine to be prisoners, and in so 
wretched circumstances, I was happy that we were to- 
gether, as a mutual support to each other, and to the un- 
fortunate prisoners with us. Our first attention was the 
preservation of ourselves and our injured little republic; 
the rest of our time we devoted interchangeably to 
politics and philosophy, as patience was a needful exercise 
in so evil a situation. 

I had not been in this jail many days before a worthy 
and charitable woman, Mrs. Blackden, by name, supplied 
me with a good dinner of fresh meats every day, with 



130 Ethan Allen of Green Mountain Fame. 

garden fruit, and sometimes with a bottle of wine; not- 
withstanding which, I had not been more than three 
weeks in the place before I lost all appetite for the most 
delicious food, as also did sundry of the prisoners, particu- 
larly a Sergeant Moore, a man of courage and fidelity. I 
have several times seen him hold the boatswain of the 
Solbay frigate when he attempted to strike him, and 
laughed him out of the conceit of using him as a slave. 

A doctor visited the sick and did the best (as I suppose) 
'he could for them, to no apparent purpose. I grew 
weaker and weaker, as did the rest. Several of them 
could not help themselves. At last I reasoned in my own 
mind that raw onions would be good. I made use of 
them and found immediate relief, as did the sick in 
general, particularly Sergeant Moore, who soon recovered 
almost from the shades. Though I had met with a little 
revival, still I found the malignant hand of Britain had 
greatly reduced my constitution with stroke upon stroke. 
Mr. Lovell and myself used every argument and entreaty 
that could be well conceived of in order to obtain gentle- 
manly-like usage, to no purpose. I then v/rote General 
Massey as severe a letter as I possibly could, with my 
friend LovelPs assistance. The contents of it were to 
give the British, as a nation, and him, as an individual, 
their true character. This roused the rascal, for he could 
not bear to see his and the nation's deformity in that 
transparent letter which I sent him. He therefore put 
himself in a great rage about it, and showed the letter to 
a number of British officers, particularly to Captain 
Smith, of the Lark frigate, who, instead of joining with 
him in disapprobation, commended the spirit of it, upon 



Eetiirn to America. 131 

which General Massey said to him, ''Do you take the 
part of a rebel against me?" Captain Smith answered 
that he rather spoke his sentiments, amd there was a dis- 
sension in opinion between them. Some officers took the 
part of the General, and others, of the Captain. Thig I 
was informed of by a gentleman who had it from Captain 
Smith. 

In a few days after this the prisoners were ordered to 
go on board of a man-of-war which was bound for New 
York, but two of them were not able to go on board, and 
were left at Halifax; one died and the other recovered. 
This was about the twentieth of October, and soon after 
we had got on board the Captain sent for me in particular 
to come on the quarter deck. I went, not knowing that 
it was Captain Smith or his ship at that time, and ex- 
pected to meet the same rigorous usage I had commonly 
met with, and prepared my mind accordingly, but when I 
came on deck the captain met me with his hand, wel- 
comed me to his ship, invited me to dine with him that 
day and assured me that I should be treated as a gentle- 
man, and that he had given orders that I should be treated 
with respect by the ship's crew. This was so unexpected 
and sudden a transition that it drew tears from my eyes, 
which all the ill usage I had before met with was not able 
to produce, nor could I at first hardly speak, but soon 
recovered myself and expressed my gratitude for so unex- 
pected a favor; and let him know that I felt anxiety of 
mind in reflecting that his situation and mine were such 
that it was not probable that it would ever be in my 
power to return the favor. Captain Smith replied that 
he had no reward in view, but only treated me as a 



132 Ethan Allen of Green Mountain Fame. 

gentleman ought to be treated; he said, ''This is a 
mutable world, and one gentleman never knows but that 
it may be in his power to help another." Soon after I 
found this to be the same Captain Smith who took my 
part against General Massey; but he never mentioned 
anything of it to me, and I thought it impolite in me to in- 
terrogate him as to any disputes which might have arisen 
between him and the General on my account, as I was a 
prisoner, and that it was at his option to make free with 
me on the subject if he pleased; and if he did not, I 
might take it for granted that it would be unpleasant for 
me to query about it, though I had a strong propensity to 
converse with him on that subject. 

I dined with the Captain, agreeable to his invitation, 
and oftentim.es with the Lieutenant in the gun room, but 
in general ate and drank with my friend Lovell and the 
other gentlemen who were prisoners with me, where I 
also slept. 

We had a little berth enclosed with canvas, between 
decks, where we enjoyed ourselves very well, in hopes of 
an exchange; besides our friends at Halifax had a little 
notice of our departure, and supplied us with spirituous 
liquor and many articles of provision for the cost. Cap- 
tain Burke, having been taken prisoner, was added to our 
company (he had commanded an American armed 
vessel) and was generously treated by the Captain, and 
all the officers of the ship, as well as myself. We now had 
in all near thirty prisoners on board, and as we were sail- 
ing along the coast, if I recollect right, off Rhode Island, Cap- 
tain Burke, with an under-officer of the ship, whose name 
I do not recollect, came to our little berth, proposed to 



Eetiirn to America. 133 

kill Captain Smith and the principal officers of the frigate 
and take it, adding that there were thirty-five thousand 
pounds sterling in the same. Captain Burke likewise 
averred that a strong party out of the ship's crew was in 
the conspiracy, and urged me and the gentleman that was 
with me, to use our influence with the private prisoners 
to execute the design and take the ship with the cash into 
one of our own ports. 

Upon which I replied that we had been too well used 
on board to murder the officers, that I could by no 
means reconcile it to my conscience, and that in fact it 
should not be done; and while I was yet speaking, my 
friend Lovell confirmed what I had said, and further 
pointed out the ungratefulness of such an act; that it did 
not fall short of murder; and in fine, all the gentlemen in 
the berth opposed Captain Burke and his colleague; but 
they strenuously urged that the conspiracy would be 
found out, and that it would cost them their lives, pro- 
vided they did not execute their design. I then inter- 
posed spiritedly, and put an end to further argument on 
the subject, and told them that they might depend upon 
it, upon my honor, that I would faithfully guard Captain 
Smith's life. If they should attempt the assault I would 
assist him (for they desired me to remain neutral), and 
that the same honor that guarded Captain Smith's life 
would guard their 's; and it was agreed by those present 
not to reveal the conspiracy, to the intent that no man 
should be put to death in consequence of what had been 
projected; and Captain Burke and his colleague went to 
stifle the matter among their associates. I could not 
help calling to mind what Captain Smith said to me when 



134 Etlian Allen of Green Mountain Fame. 

I first came on board: ''This is a mutable world, and one 
gentleman never knows but that it may be in his power 
to help another." Captain Smith and his officers still 
behaved with their usual courtesy, and I never heard any 
more of the conspiracy. 



CHAPTER X. 

SCIENTIFIC BARBARITY OF GREAT BRITAIN. 

In the latter part of October, 1776, the sloop in which 
Allen and his fellow prisoners were confined, and which 
had been converted into a floating prison at Halifax, 
arrived in New York harbor. The city had just been 
re-taken by the British under Admiral and Lord 
Howe. The battle of Long Island, which resulted so 
disastrously to the Americans, the capture and execution 
of Captain Nathan Hale, the martyr spy, the evacuation 
of New York City by Washington and his disheartened 
army of less than one-third of the strength of the enemy — 
these were the determining causes which led the Howes to 
concentrate their scattered forces in front of the newly- 
acquired city which had afforded the patriot army the 
few comforts they enjoyed throughout the seven years of 
their struggle for freedom. 

During the period of the sloop's stay, which was only 
a few days, Captain Smith informed Colonel Allen that 
he had recommended him to Admiral Richard Howe and 
General William Howe, as a gentleman of honor and 
veracity, and desired they might treat him as such. Cap- 
tain Burke was ordered on board a prison ship in the 
harbor, and Colonel Allen, with the other prisoners, to a 
transport ship, commanded by Captain Craige, who re- 
ceived him into the cabin with himself and officers. 

135 



136 Ethan Allen of Green Mountain Fame. 

I fared, says Allen, as they did, and was in every respect 
well treated, in consequence of directions from Captain 
Smith. 

In a few weeks after this I had the happiness to part 
with my friend Lovell, for his sake, whom the enemy 
affected to treat as a private. He was a gentleman of 
merit, and liberally educated, but had no commission. 
They maligned him on account of his unshaken attach- 
ment to the cause of his country. He was exchanged for 
a Governor Philip Skene, of the British. I continued in 
this ship until the latter part of November, where I con- 
tracted an acquaintance with a British captain whose 
name has slipped my memory. He was what we may 
call a genteel, hearty fellow. I remember an expression 
of his over a bottle of wine, to this import: ''That there 
is greatness of soul for personal friendship to subsist be- 
tween you and me, as we are upon opposite sides, and may 
at another day be obliged to face each other in the field." 
I am confident that he was as faithful as any officer in the 
British army. At another sitting he offered to bet a 
dozen of wine that Fort Washington would be in the hands 
of the British in three days. I took the bet, and would, 
had I known that that would have been the case, and the 
third day afterwards we heard a prodigious heavy can- 
nonade, and that day the fort was taken, sure enough. 
Some months after, when I was on parole, he called upon 
me with his usual humor and mentioned the bet. I ac- 
knowledged I had lost it , but he said he did not mean to 
take it then, as I was a prisoner; that he would, another 
day, call on me, when their army came to Bennington, I 
replied that he was quite too generous, as I had fairly lost 



Scientific Barbarity of Great Britain. 137 

it; besides the Green Mountain Boys would not suffer them 
to come to Bennington. This was all in good humor. I- 
should have been glad to have seen him after the defeat 
at Bennington, but did not. It was customary for a guard 
to attend the prisoners, which was often changed. One 
was composed of tories from Connecticut, in the vicinity 
of Fairfield and Green Farms. The sergeant's name was 
Hoit. They were very full of their invectives against the 
country, swaggered of their loyalty to their King and 
exclaimed bitterly against the '^ cowardly Yankees," as 
they were pleased to term them, but finally contented 
themselves with saying that when the country was over- 
come, they should be well rewarded for their loyalty, out 
of the estates of the whigs, which would be confiscated. 
This I found to be the general language of tories after I 
arrived from England on the American coasts. I heard 
sundry of them relate that the British generals had en- 
gaged them as ample reward for all their losses, disap- 
pointments and expenditures, out of the forfeited rebels' 
estate. This language early taught me what to do with 
tories' estates, as far as my influence can go. For it is 
really a game of hazard between whig and tory. The 
whigs must inevitably have lost all, in consequence of the 
abilities of the tories, and their good friends, the British, 
and it is no more than right the tories should run the same 
risk, in consequence of the abilities of the whigs. But of 
this, more will be observed in the sequel of this narrative. 
Some time near the last of November, the prisoners 
were landed at New York, and I was admitted to parole, 
with the other officers, viz.. Proctor, Howland and Taylor. 
The privates w^e put into the filthy churches in New 



138 Etlian Allen of Green Mountain Fame. 

York, with the distressed prisoners that were taken at 
Fort Washington; and the second night, Sergeant Roger 
Moore, who was bold and enterprising, found means to 
make his escape, with every one of the remaining pris- 
oners that were taken with me, except three, who were 
soon after exchanged, so that out of thirty-one prisoners 
who went with me only two died with the enemy and 
three only were exchanged, one of whom died after he 
came within our lines. All the rest at different times 
made their escape from the enemy. 

I now found myself on parole and restricted to the 
limits of the city of New York, where I soon projected 
means to live in some measure agreeable to my rank, 
though I was destitute of cash. My constitution was 
almost worn out by such a long and barbarous captivity. 
The enemy gave out that I was crazy, and wholly un- 
manned ; but my vitals held sound ; nor was I delirious 
any more than I have been from my youth up; but my 
extreme circumstances, at certain times, rendered it 
politic to act, in some measure, the madman; and in con- 
sequence of a regular diet and exercise, my blood recruited 
and my nerves in a great measure recovered their former 
tone, strength, and usefulness, in the course of six months. 

The reader is next invited to a retrospective view of 
the doleful scene of inhumanity, exercised by General 
Howe, and the army under his command, towards the 
prisoners taken on Long Island, on the 27th day of Au- 
gust, 1776; many of these men were inhumanly and bar- 
barously murdered after they had surrendered their arms , 
particularly a General Odel, of Woodhull, belonging to 
the militia, who was hacked to pieces with cutlasses 



Scientific Barbarity of Great Britain. 139 

while yet alive, by the light horsemen, and also a Captain 
Fellows of the Continental army, who was thrust through 
with a bayonet of which wound he died instantly. 

Many others, among whom was a Captain Nathan 
Hale of the Connecticut Rangers, were hanged by the neck 
till they were dead ; five were strung to the limb of a white 
oak tree, and without any reason assigned, except that they 
were fighting in defense of the only blessing worth pre- 
serving. And, indeed, those who had the misfortune to 
fall into their hands at Fort Washington, in the month of 
November following, met with but very little better 
usage, except that they were reserved from immediate 
death to famish and die with hunger; in fine, the word 
rebel applied to all vanquished persons, without regard 
to rank, who were in the continental service on the 27th 
day of August aforesaid, was thought by the enemy, 
sufficient to sanctify whatever cruelties they were pleased 
to inflict, death itself not excepted. 

The private soldiers who were brought to New York, 
continues Allen, were crowded into churches, and en- 
vironed with slavish Hessian guards, a people of a strange 
language, who were sent to America for no other design 
but cruelty and desolation; and again by merciless 
Britons whose mode of communicating ideas being in- 
telligible in this country, served only to tantalize and in- 
sult the helpless and perishing; but above all, the hellish 
delight and triumphs of the tories over them, as they were 
dying by hundreds. This was too much for me to bear 
as a spectator, for I saw the tories exulting over the dead 
bodies of their murdered countrymen. I have gone into 
the churches and seen many of the prisoners in the agonies 



140 Ethan Allen of Green Mountain Fame. 

of death in consequence of hunger, and others speechless, 
and near death, biting pieces of chips ; others pleading for 
God's sake for something to eat, and at the same time 
shivering with the cold. Hollow groans saluted the 
ears, and despair seemed to be imprinted on every one of 
their countenances. The filth of these churches, in con- 
sequence of the fluxes, was almost beyond description. 
The floors were covered with excrements. I have care- 
fully sought to direct my steps so as to avoid it, but could 
not. They would beg for God's sake for one copper or 
morsel of bread. I have seen in one of these churches, 
seven dead, at the same time, lying among the excre- 
ments of their bodies. 

It was a common practice with the enemy to convey 
the dead from these filthy places in carts, to be slightly 
buried; but I have seen whole gangs of tories making de- 
rision and exulting over the dead, saying, ''There goes 
another load of damned rebels." I have observed the 
British soldiers to be full of their blackguard jokes, and 
vaunting on these occasions; but they appeared to me 
to be less malignant than the tories. 

The provisions dealt out to the prisoners was by no 
means sufficient for the support of life. It was deficient 
in quantity, and much more in quality. The prisoners 
often presented me with a sample of their bread which 
I certify was damaged to that degree that it was loathsome 
and unfit to be eaten, and I am bold to aver that it had 
been condemned and was of the very worst sort. I have 
seen and been fed upon damaged bread in the course of 
my captivity and observed the quality of such bread as 
has been condemned by the enemy, among which was very 



Scientific Barbarity of Great Britain. 141 

little so effectually spoiled as that which was dealt out to 
these prisoners. Their allowance of meat (as they told 
me) was quite trifling and of the basest sort. I never 
saw any of it, but was informed, bad as it was, it was 
swallowed almost as quickly as they got hold of it. I saw 
some of them sucking bones after they were speechless; 
others, who could yet speak and had the use of their 
reason, urged me in the strongest and most pathetic man- 
ner, to use my interest in their behalf . ''For you plainly 
see," said they, ''that we are devoted to death and de- 
struction." And after I had examined more particularly 
into their truly deplorable condition, and had become 
more fully apprized of the essential facts, I was per- 
suaded that it was a premeditated and systematical plan 
of the British council to destroy the youths of our land, 
with a view thereby to deter the country, and make it 
submit to their despotism; but that I could not do them 
any material service, and that, by any public attempt for 
that purpose, I might endanger myself by frequenting 
places the most nauseous and contagious that could be 
conceived of. I refrained from going into the churches, but 
frequently conversed with such of the prisoners as were 
permitted to come into the yard, and found that the sys- 
tematical misusage still continued. The guard would often 
drive me away with their fixed bayonets. A Hessian one 
day followed me five or six rods, but by making use of my 
legs I got rid of the lubber. Sometimes I could obtain a 
little conversation notwithstanding their severities. 

I was in one of the church yards, and it was rumored 
among those in the church when many of the prisoners 
came with their usual complaints to me, and among the 



142 Etlian Allen of Green Mountain Fame. 

rest, a large-boned, tall young man, from Pennsylvania, 
as he told me, who was reduced to a mere skeleton. He 
said he was glad to see me before he died, which he ex- 
pected to have done last night, but was a little revived; 
he furthermore informed me that he and his brother had 
been urged to enlist into the British service, but both had 
resolved to die first; that his brother had died last night 
in consequence of that resolution, and that he expected 
shortly to follow him. But I made the other prisoners 
stand a little off, and told him with a low voice to enlist. 
He then asked whether it was right in the sight of God? 
I assured him to deceive the British by enlisting, and 
desert the first opportunity afforded; upon which he 
answered with transport, that he would enlist. I charged 
him not to mention my name, as his adviser lest it should 
get air, and I should be closely confined, in consequence 
of it. 

The integrity of these suffering prisoners is hardly 
credible. Many hundreds, I am confident, submitted to 
death rather than enlist in the British service, which I 
am informed they most generally were pressed to do. I 
was astonished at the resolution of the brothers particu- 
larly. It seems that they could not be stimulated to 
such exertions of heroism from ambition, as they were 
but obscure soldiers ; strong indeed must be the internal 
principle of virtue, which supported them to the 
death, and one of them actually gave up his life as 
did many hundred others. I readily grant that instances 
of public virtue are no excitement to the sordid and 
vicious; nor on the other hand, will all the barbarity of 
Britain and Heshland awaken them to a sense of their 




^1«^«^. 



I 



Scientific Barbarity of Great Britain. 143 

duty to the public; but these things will have their 
proper effect on the generous and brave. The officers on 
parole were most of them zealous if possible to afford the 
miserable soldiery relief, and often consulted with one 
another on the subject, but to no effect, being destitute 
of the means of subsistence which they needed. Nor could 
the officers conceive any measure which they thought 
would alter their fate, or so much as be a means of getting 
them out of those filthy places, and into the fresh air. 
Some thought that all the officers should go in procession 
to General Howe and plead the cause of the perishing 
soldiers; but this proposal was negatived, because Gen- 
eral Howe must needs be well acquainted and have a 
thorough knowledge of the state and condition of the 
prisoners, in every one of their wretched apartments, and 
that much more particular and exact than any officer on 
parole could be supposed to have, as the General had a 
return of the circumstances of the prisoners by his own 
officers, every morning, of the number which were alive 
as also the number which died every twenty-four hours; 
and consequently the bill of mortality, as collected from 
the daily returns lay before him, with all the material 
situations and circumstances of the prisoners; and pro- 
vided the officers should go in procession to General 
Howe, according to the projection, it would give him the 
greatest affront, and that he would either retort upon 
them that it was no part of their parole to instruct him 
in his conduct to prisoners; that they were mutinying 
against his authority, and by affronting him, had for- 
feited their parole; or that more probably, instead of 
saying one word to them, would order them all into as 



144 Ethan Allen of Green Mountain Fame. 

wretched a confinement as the soldiers, whom they sought 
to relieve ; for at that time, the British, from the General 
to the private sentinel, were confident, and did not hesi- 
tate to express their belief, that they would yet conquer 
the country. Thus the consultation of the officers was 
confounded in consequence of the dread which at that 
time lay on their minds of offending General Howe ; for 
they knew so murderous a tyrant would not be too good 
to destroy even the officers on the least pretense of an 
affront, and they were as much in his power as were the 
soldiers. As General Howe perfectly understood the con- 
dition of the private soldiers, it was argued that it was 
exactly such as he and his council had advised, and as he 
meant to destroy them it would be to no purpose for the 
paroled officers to try to dissuade him from it, as they 
were helpless and liable to the same fate on giving the 
least affront; indeed, anxious apprehensions disturbed 
them in their distressing circumstances. 

In the meantime mortality raged to such an intoler- 
able degree among the prisoners that the very school boys 
in the streets knew the mental design of it in some measure ; 
at least, they knew that they were starved to death. 
Some poor women contributed to their necessities till 
their children were almost starved, and all persons of 
common understanding knew that they were doomed to 
the cruelest and worst of deaths. It was also proposed 
by some to make a written representation, signed by the 
officers, of the condition of the soldiery, and that it 
should be couched in such terms as though they were 
apprehensive that the General was imposed upon by his 
officers in their daily returns to him of the state and con- 



Scientific Barbarity of Great Britain. 145 

dition of the prisoners and that, therefore, the officers, 
moved with compassion, were constrained to communicate 
to him the facts relative to them, nothing doubting but 
that they would meet with a speedy redress; but this 
proposal was most generally negatived also, and for much 
the same reasons offered in the other case; for it was con- 
jectured that General Howe's indignation would be moved 
against such officers as should attempt to whip him over 
his officers' backs; that he would discern that he himself 
was really struck at, and not the officers who made the 
daily returns; therefore, self-preservation deterred the 
officers from either petitioning or remonstrating with 
General Howe, either verbally or in writing, as also the 
consideration that no valuable purpose to the distressed 
would be obtained. 

I made several rough drafts on the subject, one of 
which I exhibited to Colonels Magaw, Miles and Atlee, and 
they said that they would consider the matter. Soon after 
I called on them, and some of the gentlemen informed me 
that they had written to the General on the subject, and 
I concluded that the gentlemen thought it best that they 
should write without me, as there was such spirited 
aversion subsisting between the British and me. 

In the meantime a Colonel Hussecker, who claimed to 
belong to the Continental army, was taken prisoner, and 
brought to New York. He reported that the country was 
almost universally submitting to British authority, and 
that there would be little or no more opposition to Great 
Britain. This at first gave the enemy no small amount 
of surprise, but in a few days they recovered from the 
shock; Colonel Hussecker, being a German, was per- 



146 Ethan Allen of Green Mountain Fame. 

mitted to dine with General De Heister, a countryman of 
his serving in the British army, and from his conduct they 
thought he was a spy, at least he was considered so by 
most of the officers, and his actions were closely watched. 
At this time our little army was retreating across New 
Jersey, while our men were being murdered by hundreds 
in New York. The army of British and Hessian hirelings 
prevailed for a little while, as though it was ordered by 
Providence to show to the latest posterity what the 
British would have done if they could, and what the 
general result would have been in consequence of their 
success in conquering the Americans. This only excited 
every man to exert himself all the more in the defence of 
liberty, for the establishment of the independency of the 
United States of America now seemed no longer impos- 
sible. In the face of these obstacles and scenes of adverse 
fortune Washington remained immovable and obstinate. 
He had taken up his sword in the cause of liberty and he 
was determined to win or perish in the attempt. This 
determination was his support and consolation in the day 
of his humiliation when he retreated before the enemy 
through New Jersey into Pennsylvania. To add to the 
troubles and discomfitures of the Americans, General 
Lee, together with a small force, was surprised and taken 
prisoner at Baskenridge. The patriot army was greatly 
reduced by the loss of several hundred men taken 
prisoners as well as disabled by disease or death on the 
field and expiration of terms of enlistment. Washington 
was obliged to retreat with his prisoners towards Phila- 
delphia. General Plowe went in pursuit, notwithstanding 
the severity of the weather. 



Scientific Barbarity of Great Britain. 147 

During this gloomy state of affairs many persons 
joined the British army in order to secure food, raiment 
and protection. But a small band of heroes checked the 
tide of British success. A division of Hessians had ad- 
vanced to Trenton, where they rested in apparent security. 
Washington was on the opposite side of the Delaware 
with about three thousand men, many of whom were 
without shoes or sufficient clothing while the river between 
them was covered with floating ice. Washington in 
the meantime was not idle; he knew the importance of 
striking a decisive blow if only to encourage the slowly 
expiring hopes of his countrym.en; so, on the night of 
December 25th, 1776, he crossed the river and took the 
enemy by surprise. The whole body, consisting of about 
nine hundred men, was captured with little or no 
resistance. Few of the Hessians were killed, among 
those who were, howerer, was a Colonel Rahl, who was 
in commxand of this detachment. 

This surprise and capture of the Hessians greatly 
enraged the British, who were still vastly more numerous 
than the Continental troops. They collected their 
forces at once and marched from Princeton to attack 
Washington, who was then at Trenton, leaving a 
detachment from their main body at Princeton for 
the support of that place. On the 2nd of January, 1777, 
Lord Cornwallis appeared near Trenton, with a strong 
body of troops. Much skirmishing was done, which im- 
peded the march of the British army until the Americans 
had removed their artillery and baggage to places of safety, 
after which they retired to the southward, repulsing the 
enemy in their attempt to pass the bridge. This was a 



148 Ethan Allen of Green Mountain Fame. 

trying time for Washington ; who, though in possession of 
more than a thousand prisoners, and still exulting over 
a most astonishing victory, was by no means able to with- 
stand the collective force of the enemy. His sagacity, 
however, soon suggested a stratagem, for an engagement 
would certainly have meant overwhelming defeat. He 
gave orders for the troops to light fires in their camp 
(which were intended to deceive the enemy) and he pre- 
pared to make a night march. Accordingly at 12 o'clock 
the troops left their camps and by a circuitous march 
eluded the vigilance of the enemy, and early in the morn- 
ing appeared at Princeton. A sharp action ensued but the 
British troops gave way. A party of nearly a hundred 
took refuge in an old college, but were forced to surrender. 
The main body perceiving their rear was attacked hurried 
back but found that Washington had out-generaled 
them and had retired with his little army towards Morris- 
town. The enemy lost in killed, wounded and prisoners, 
about five hundred men. The Americans lost but few 
men, but among them was General Mercer, a most valu- 
able officer and accomplished gentleman. 

These repeated successes, one following the other in 
quick succession, disheartened the enemy and had an 
amazing effect on the success of the American arms, and 
undoubtedly was one of the corner-stones on which the 
structure of American liberty was so speedily raised. The 
country at no time had been so depressed as just before 
the morning of these glorious successes, which dispelled 
in part, the gloom which had spread like a pall over the 
American people. These successes, too, had a mighty 
effect on General Howe and his council, for it roused them 



Scientific Barbarity of Great Britain. 149 

to a sense of their own weakness, and convinced them 
that they were neither omniscient nor omnipresent. 
Their obduracy and death-designing malevolence in some 
measure abated or was suspended. The prisoners, who 
were condemmed to the most wretched and crudest of 
deaths, and who had survived to this period (though most 
of them died before), were immediately ordered to be sent 
within General Washington's lines for an exchange; 
consequently they were taken out of their filthy and 
poisonous places of confinement and sent out of New 
York in haste; several of them fell dead in the streets of 
New York as they attempted to walk to the vessels in 
the harbor for their intended embarkation. The number 
of those who died before reaching the lines was never 
accurately ascertained, but from reports received from 
those who were finally exchanged, it is known that all 
died in consequence of inhuman treatment and unsani- 
tary conditions while confined in the filthy prisons. Dur- 
ing the war, the provost jails at New York and Philadel- 
phia, were in charge of one, Cunningham, whose cruelties 
and crimes were notorious and monstrous. Upon the 
scaffold in England, years afterward, he confessed that 
he had, by starvation and otherwise, caused the death of 
fully two thousand prisoners under his charge at New 
York. At times he put poison into their food, and again 
he sold their rations for his own benefit. This statement is 
further verified by Colonel Allen, himself a prisoner under 
this notorious character, who says: 

Some of us who were eye-witnesses of that scene of 
mortality, more especially of that part which continued 
after the exchange took place, are of the opinion that it 



150 Ethan Allen of Green Mountain Fame. 

was partly in consequence of a slow poison. Upon the 
best calculation I have been able to make from personal 
knowledge and the many evidences I have collected in 
support of facts, I learn that of the prisoners taken on 
Long Island, Fort Washington and some few others, at 
different times and places, about two thousand perished 
from poison, or with hunger, cold, and sickness occasioned 
by the filth of their prison at New York, and a number 
more on their passage to the continental lines; most of 
the residue who reached their homes could not be restored 
by the assistance of physicians and friends, but like their 
brother prisoners, fell a sacrifice to the relentless and 
scientific barbarity of Britain. I took as much pains as 
my circumstances would admit of, to inform myself not 
only of matters of fact but likewise of the very design 
and aims of General Howe and his council; the latter of 
which I predicated on the former, and submit it to a 
candid public. The success of the American arms had a 
happy effect on the continental officers who were on 
parole in New York. A number of us assembled, but not 
in a public manner, and with full bowls and glasses 
drank General Washington's health, and were not un- 
mindful of Congress and our worthy friends on the conti- 
nent, and almost forgot that we were prisoners. 



CHAPTER XI. 

RELEASED FROM CAPTIVITY. 

The brief respite from a loathsome dungeon, reeking 
with filth, would seem to have been sufficient cause for 
great rejoicing and thanksgiving to most men; but when 
Allen learned that this release was for the purpose of 
inducing him to desert the cause for which he had suffered 
untold hardships and for which he had undergone a 
punishment that few men could have survived, his con- 
tempt for his traducers knew no bounds. 

A British officer of rank and importance in their army, 
says Allen, whose name I shall not mention for certain 
reasons at present, though I have mentioned it to some 
of my close friends and confidants, sent for me to come 
to his lodgings, and told me that '' faithfulness, though 
in a wrong cause, had nevertheless recommended me to 
General Howe, who was minded to make me a Colonel of 
a regiment of new levies, in the British service; and 
proposed that I should go to England, with him and 
some other officers who would embark for that purpose 
in a few days, and there be introduced to Lord G. Ger- 
maine, and probably to the King; and that previously 
I should be clothed equal to such an introduction, and 
instead of paper rags, be paid in hard guineas; after this, 
should embark with General Burgoyne and assist in the 
reduction of the country, which infallibly would be con- 

161 



152 Ethan Allen of Green Mountain Fame. 

quered, and when that should be done I should have a 
large tract of land, either in the New Hampshire Grants 
or in Connecticut, it would make no odds, as the country 
would be forfeited to the crown. I then replied. That 
if by faithfulness I had recommended myself to General 
Howe I should be loth by unfaithfulness to lose the Gen- 
eral's good opinion; besides, that I viewed the offer of 
land to be similar to that which the devil offered Jesus 
Christ — ''To give him all the kingdoms of the world if he 
would fall down and worship him," when, at the same 
time, the damned soul had not one foot of land upon 
earth. This closed the conversation and the gentleman 
turned from me with an air of dislike, saying I was a bigot; 
upon which I retired to my lodgings. 

Near the last of November I was admitted to parole 
in New York, with many other American officers, and on 
the 22nd day of January, 1777, was with them directed 
by the British commissary of prisoners, to be quartered 
on the westerly part of Long Island, and our parole con- 
tinued. During my imprisonment there, no occurrences 
worthy of observation happened. I obtained the means 
of living as well as I desired, which in a great measure, 
repaired my constitution, which had been greatly injured 
by the severities of an inhuman captivity. I now began 
to feel myself composed, expecting either an exchange 
or continuance in good and honorable treatment; but 
alas ! my visionary expectations soon vanished. The news 
of the conquest of Ticonderoga by General Burgoyne 
and the advance of his army into the country made the 
haughty Britons again to feel their importance, and with 
that came their insatiable thirst for cruelty. 



Released from Captivity. 158 

In June, 1777, the British army, amounting to seven 
thousand men, besides Indians and Canadians, com- 
manded by General Burgoyne, crossed Lake Champlain 
and laid siege to Fort Ticonderoga. In a short time, the 
enemy gained possession of Sugar Hill, which commanded 
the American lines, and General St. Clair, with the advice 
of a council of war, ordered the posts to be abandoned. 
The retreat of the Americans was conducted under every 
possible disadvantage — part of their force embarked in 
open boats and landed at Skenesborough, while the rest 
marched by way of Castleton; but they were obliged to 
leave their heavy cannon, and on their march lost a large 
part of their baggage and stores, while their rear was 
harassed by the British troops. An action took place 
between Colonel Warner, with a body of Americans, and 
General Frazer, in which the Americans were defeated, 
after a brave resistance, with the loss of a valuable officer, 
a Colonel Francis. 

The prisoners under Cunningham at New York and 
some of the officers on parole felt the severity of this disas- 
ter. Burgoyne was their demi-god. To him they paid 
adoration, says Allen, and forgot the Lord, their God, 
and served Howe, Burgoyne and Knyphausen; they 
became vile in their own imaginations, and their foolish 
hearts were darkened, while professing to be great politi- 
cians, they relied on foreign and merciless invaders, and 
with seeking the ruin, bloodshed and destruction of their 
country, became fools, expecting with them to share a 
dividend in the confiscated estates of their neighbors and 
countrymen, who fought for the whole country, and the 
religion and liberties thereof. Therefore, God gave them 



154 Ethan Allen of Green Mountain Fame. 

over to strong delusions, to believe a lie, that they might 
all be damned. 

The 25th day of August I was apprehended, and, under 
pretext of artful, mean and pitiful pretences that I had 
infringed on my parole, taken from a tavern where there 
were more than a dozen officers present, and in the very 
place where those officers and myself were directed to be 
quartered, put under a strong guard, and taken to Nev/ 
York, where I expected to make my defence before the 
commanding officer; but contrary to my expectations, 
and without the least solid pretence of justice or a trial, 
was again encircled with a strong guard, with fixed bayo- 
nets, and conducted to the provost gaol, in a lonely 
apartment next above the dungeon, and was denied all 
manner of subsistence, either by purchase or allowance. 
The second day I offered a guinea for a meal of victuals 
but was denied it; and the third day I offered eight 
Spanish milled dollars for a like favor, but was denied, and 
all I could get out of the sergeant's mouth was that by 
G — d he would obey his orders. 

I now perceived myself to be again in substantial 
trouble. In this condition I formed an acquaintance 
with a Captain Travis of Virginia, who was in the dungeon 
below me, by communication through a little hole which 
was cut with a penknife through the floor of my apart- 
ment into the dungeon. It was a small crevice and 
through it I could discern but a very small part of his 
face at once when he applied it to the hole ; but from the 
discovery of him in the situation which we were both then 
in, I could not have known him whom I found to be true 
by an after acquaintance. I could, nevertheless, hold a 



Released from Captivity. 155 

conversation with him, and soon perceived him to be a 
gentleman of high spirits, who had a high sense of honor 
and felt as big as though he had been in a palace, yet he 
had treasures of wrath in store against the British. In 
fine, I was charmed by the spirit of the man. He had 
been almost or quite four months in that dungeon with 
murderers, thieves and every species of criminals and all 
for the sole crime of unshaken fidelity to his country; but 
his spirits were above dejection and his mind uncon- 
querable. I engaged to do him every service in my power, 
and in a few weeks afterwards, with the united petitions 
of the officers in the provost, procured his dismission from 
the dark mansion of fiends to the apartments of his peti- 
tioners. 

And it came to pass on the third day, at the going 
down of the sun, that I was presented with a piece of 
boiled pork, and some biscuit which the sergeant gave 
me to understand was my allowance, and I fed sweetly 
on the same; but I indulged my appetite by degrees, and 
in a few days more was taken from that apartment and 
conducted to the next loft or story, where there were 
above twenty continental and some militia officers, who 
had been taken and imprisoned there, besides some private 
gentlemen who had been dragged from their own homes 
to that filthy place by tories. Several of every denomina- 
tion mentioned died there, some before and others after I 
was put there. 

Captain Vandyke bore, with an uncommon fortitude, 
nearly twenty months' confinement in this place, and in 
the meantime Vv'as very serviceable to others who were 
confined with him. The allegation against him, as the 



156 Etban Allen of Green Mountain Fame. 

cause of his confinement, was very extraordinary. He 
was accused of setting fire to the city of New York, at the 
time the west part of it was consumed, when it was a 
known fact that he had been in the provost a week before 
the fire broke out, and was confined in the same cell with 
Captain Nathan Hale, whom I did not see but who was 
cruelly hanged on the morning of the 22d, on the charge 
of being a spy. Frivolous were the ostensible accusations 
against most of those who were there confined except the 
case of two militia officers who were taken in their at- 
tempting to escape from -their parole and were deliber- 
ately starved to death. 

Mr. William Miller, a committeeman from West 
Chester county, state of New York, was taken from 
his bed in the dead of the night by his tory neighbors and 
was starved for three days and nights in an apartment of 
the same gaol; add to this the denial of fire and that in 
a cold season of the year, in which time he walked day 
and night to defend himself against the frost, and when 
he complained of such reprehensible conduct, the word 
rebel or committeeman was deemed by the enemy a 
sufficient atonement for any inhumanity that they could 
invent or inflict. He was a man of good natural under- 
standing, a close and sincere friend to the liberties of 
America, and endured fourteen months' cruel imprison- 
ment with that magnaminity of soul which reflects honor 
on himself and country. 

Major Levi Wells, and Captain Ozias Bissell were 
apprehended and taken under guard from their parole on 
Long Island to the provost on as fallacious pretences as 
the former, and were there continued till their exchange 



Released from Captivity. 157 

took place, which was near five months. Their fidelity 
and zealous attachment to their country's cause, which 
was more than commonly conspicuous, was undoubtedly 
the real cause of their confinement. 

Major Brinton Payne, Captain Flahaven and Captain 
Randolph, who had at different times distinguished them- 
selves by their bravery, especially at the several actions 
in which they were taken, were all the provocations they 
gave, for being arrested and for which they suffered about 
a year's confinement each in the same filthy gaol. 

A few weeks after my confinement on the like falla- 
cious and wicked pretences, they brought to the same place 
from his parole on Long Island, Major Otho Holland 
Williams, of the continental army. In his character were 
united the gentleman, officer, soldier and friend. He 
walked through the prison with an air of great disdain. 
Said he, "Is this the treatment v/hich gentlemen of the 
continental army are to expect from the rascally British 
when in their power? Heaven forbid it!" He was con- 
tinued there about five months and then exchanged for 
a British Major. 

John Fell, Esq. afterward a member of Congress from 
the state of New Jersey, was taken from his own house by 
a gang of infamous tories and by order of a British general 
was sent to the provost where he was continued near one 
year. The stench of the gaol, which was very loathsome 
and unhealthy, occasioned a hoarseness of the lungs 
which proved fatal to many who were there confined, and 
reduced this gentleman near to the point of death; he was, 
indeed, given over by his friends who were about him, and 
he himself concluded he must die. I could not endure 



158 Ethan Allen of Green Mountain Fame. 

the thought that so worthy a friend to America should 
have his life stolen from him in such a mean, base and 
scandalous manner, and that his family and friends 
should be bereaved of so great and desirable a blessing 
as his further care, usefulness and example might prove 
to them. I therefore wrote a letter to General Robertson 
who commanded in town, and was touched with the 
most sensible feelings of humanity, which dictated my 
pen to paint dying distress in such lively colors that it 
wrought conviction even on the obduracy of a British 
general and produced his order to remove the now hon- 
orable John Fell, out of a gaol to private lodgings in town; 
in consequence of which he slowly recovered his health. 
There is so extraordinary a circumstance which inter- 
vened concerning this letter that it is worth noticing. 
Previous to sending it I exhibited the same to the gentle- 
man on whose behalf it was written, for his approbation, 
and he forbid me to send it in the most positive and 
explicit terms; the reason he gave was that the enemy 
knew, by every morning's report, the condition of all the 
prisoners, his in particular he said, as he had been gradu- 
ally coming to his end for a considerable time, and they 
•very well knew it, and likewise determined it should be 
accomplished, as they had served many others; that to 
ask a favor would give the merciless enemy occasion to 
triumph over him in his last moments and therefore he 
would ask no favors from them, but had resigned himself 
to his fate. But the letter I sent without his knowledge, 
and I confess I had but little expectations from it, yet 
could not be easy till I had sent it. It may be worth a 
remark, that this gentleman was an Englishman born, and 




THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE READ TO THE ARMY. 



Released from Captivity. 159 

from the beginning of the revolution, has invariably 
asserted and maintained the cause of liberty. 

The British have made so extensive an improvement 
of the provost during the present revolution, till of late, 
that a very short definition will be sufficient for the dullest 
apprehensions. It may be with propriety called the 
British Inquisition, and is calculated to support their op- 
pressive measures and designs by suppressing the spirit 
of liberty. Here were promiscuously confined not only 
gentlemen of the American army and American citizens 
who were not soldiers, but also the criminals of every 
species and the most infamous wretches of the British 
troops. The different classes, however, separated into 
companies and held as much aloof from one another as 
circumstances would allow. It was at the option of a 
villainous sergeant who had charge of the provost to take 
any gentleman from his room and put him into the 
dungeon — and this was often done. At two different times 
I was taken down stairs for that purpose by a file of sol- 
diers, with fixed bayonets and the sergeant brandishing his 
sword at the same time, but having been brought to the 
door of the dungeon, I there flattered the vanity of the 
sergeant whose name was Keef , by which means I secured 
the surprising favor of being returned to my companions. 
But some of the high mettled young gentlemen could not 
bear his insolence and determined to keep at a distance, and 
neither please nor displease the villain, but none could keep 
clear of his abuse; however, mild measures were the best. 

He did not hesitate to call us d d rebels, and abuse us 

with the coarsest language. Captains Flahaven, Ran- 
dolph and Mercer were the objects of his most flagrant 



160 Ethan Allen of Green Mountain Fame. 

and repeated abuses, who were many times taken to the 
dungeon and there continued at his pleasure. Captain 
riahaven took cold in the dungeon and was in a declining 
state of health, but an exchange delivered him and in all 
probability saved his life. 

It was very mortifying to bear with the insolence of 
such a vicious and ill-bred imperious rascal, as well as 
with Cunningham, the provost marshal. Remonstrances 
against him were preferred to the commander of the town, 
but no relief could be obtained; for his superiors were 
undoubtedly well pleased with his abusive conduct to the 
gentlemen under the severities of his power; and remon- 
strating against his infernal conduct only served to con- 
firm him in authority; and for this reason I never made 
any remonstrances on the subject but only stroked him 
for I knew that he was but a cat's paw in the hands of the 
British officers and provost, and that if he should use us 
well, he would immediately be put out of that trust and a 
worse man appointed to succeed him. But there was no 
need of making a new appointment for Cunningham, their 
provost marshal and Keef his deputy were as great 
rascals as their army could boast of except one Joshua 
Loring, an infamous tory, who was Commissary of pris- 
oners; nor can any of these be supposed to be equally 
criminal with General William Howe and his associates 
who prescribed and directed the murders and cruelties 
which were by them perpetrated. This Loring is a mon- 
ster. There is not his like in human shape unless it be 
Cunningham himself. Loring exhibits a smiling counte- 
nance, seems to wear a phiz of humanity but has been 
instrumentally capable of the most consummate acts of 



Released from Captivity. 161 

wickedness which were first projected by an abandoned 
British council, clothed with the authority of Howe, 
murdering premeditatedly in cold blood, near or quite 
two thousand helpless prisoners, and that in the most 
clandestine, mean and shameful manner, at New York. 

The sixth day of July, 1777, General St. Clair and 
the army under his command, evacuated Ticonderoga, 
and retreated with the main body through Rutland 
county to Hubbardton and on to Castleton. St. Clair's 
rear guard, commanded by Colonel Seth Warner, was 
attacked at Hubbardton by the enemy, two thousand 
strong, commanded by General Frazer. Warner's com- 
mand consisted of his own and two other regiments, 
commanded by Generals Francis and Hale and some 
scattering and enfeebled soldiers. His whole force, ac- 
cording to reliable information, did not exceed one thou- 
sand men, part of whom were Green Mountain Boys; 
about three hundred were not brought into action but 
held in reserve. The enemy advanced boldly and began 
to form within sixty yards of the Americans. Colonel War- 
ner and General Francis having formed their regiments did 
not wait for the enemy to attack but gave them a heavy 
fire from their whole line which was instantly returned 
with great bravery. General Hale, being apprized of the 
danger, left Warner and Francis to stand the blunt of 
attack and fled, but in attempting to escape was attacked 
by a considerable number of the enemy acting as a rear 
guard, and with his entire regiment surrendered with 
little or no resistance. 

The engagement was short but decisive. General 
Francis fell at the first charge, but Colonel Warner and 



162 Ethan Allen of Green Mountain Fame. 

the officers under his command fought with great despera- 
tion. The enemy gave way on the right and left but 
formed again, and renewed the attack. In the meantime 
the British grenadiers who occupied the center of the 
enemy's line maintained their ground and finally carried 
it with the point of the bayonet; Warner retreated with 
reluctance. The American loss was about thirty men 
killed while that of the enemy was three hundred killed, 
including a Major Grant. Colonel Allen says that the 
British complained because the Green Mountain Boys 
took sight before firing, which was the cause they as- 
signed for the heavy mortality. This seems to be an 
inherent quality in American soldiers, judging from the 
results of our recent v/ar with Spain. 

The next movement of the enemy of any material 
consequence was their attack on Bennington. For this 
purpose General Burgoyne detached Colonel Baum with 
five hundred British and one hundred Indians. Colonel 
Brayman with about five hundred men was sent to rein- 
force him but did not arrive in time. On the sixteenth 
of August, General Stark with about eight hundred 
militiamen atttacked Colonel Baum in his entrenched 
camp about six miles from Bennington and killed or took 
prisoners nearly the whole detachment. The next day 
General Stark attacked and defeated Brayman who had 
been sent to reinforce Baum. In these actions the British 
lost one hundred and forty men killed and wounded and 
about seven hundred captured, while the Americans 
practically sustained no loss. These successes it may 
v/ell be imagined served to revive the spirits of the 
people. However, the advantages gained by the British 



Released from Captivity. 163 

on the Mohawk by Colonel St. Leger practically coun- 
ter-balanced the successes, but this officer attacking Fort 
Stanwix was repelled with severe losses and obliged to 
abandon a further attempt. 

The purpose of the attack on Bennington was to 
demolish it and subject its inhabitants, to whom they had 
a great aversion, to all the indignities of which they were 
capable. With one hundred and fifty well-chosen men and 
with the fullest expectations of success, the enemy chose a 
strong eminence, fortified it by throwing up breastworks, 
and with two pieces of cannon made ready for the attack. 
But the citizens of Bennington being aware of the inten- 
tions of the enemy, had in the meantime procured a 
number of militiamen from New Hampshire, together 
with a number of the militia from Berkshire county, 
Massachusetts, and with a number of the Green Mountain 
Boys, under the command of the intrepid General John 
Stark, awaited the British advance. In numbers the 
Americans were about equal to the enemy. Colonel 
Herrick, who commanded the Green Mountain Rangers, 
was second in command; he was thoroughly acquainted 
with the territory fortified by the enemy; he proposed to 
make an attack from all sides at once so as to prevent 
reinforcements from reaching the fortifications. This plan 
being approved by General Stark and his advisers, the 
little brigade of undisciplined militiamen, with their long, 
brown firelocks, without bayonets and without cannon, 
made a desperate assault on the enemy. The battle 
occurred on the morning of the 16th of August, 1777, and 
in the face of a dreadful fire, in less than a quarter of an hour 
the Americans had silenced the enemy's cannon, and in 



164 Ethan Alien of Green Mountain Fame. 

another quarter had swept over the breastworks, taken 
possession of their fortifications, killing and capturing 
more than two-thirds of the enemy. This victory im- 
mortalized General Stark and made Bennington famous 
in American history. 

Among the enemy's killed was found Colonel Baum, 
their commander, a Colonel Pfester, who headed an in- 
famous gang of tories, and a large part of his command; 
in fact Baum's force was practically annihilated. Among 
the prisoners, all more or less wounded, was Major Mel- 
bome, second in command, a number of British and 
Hessian officers, surgeons, etc., and more than one hun- 
dred of Pfester's command. The prisoners after being 
gathered together were sent to the meeting house in the 
town, under a strong guard ; General Stark not apprehend- 
ing any immediate danger, the militia were ordered to 
stack their arms and were permitted to scatter about 
town to rest and to obtain food and drink which they 
had been without for more than twenty-four hours. 
In this situation they were suddenly attacked by a rein- 
forcment of eleven hundred of the enemy, commanded 
by Governor Skene, with two field pieces. They ad- 
vanced in regular order and kept up an incessant fire with 
their field pieces while the militia, who in the meantime 
recovered their arms, were slowly retreating before them. 
In the meantime Colonel Warner, with about one hundred 
and thirty men of his regiment who were not in the first 
action, arrived and attacked the enemy with great fury. 
Warner was eager for revenge on account of the surprise 
at Hubbardton where the brave Colonel Francis was killed. 
Soon after. General Stark and Colonel Herrick brought 



Eeleased from Captivity. 165 

on more of the scattered militia and the action became 
general. In a few minutes the enemy was forced from 
their cannon and fled in disorder in all directions; the 
shouts of victory were a second time proclaimed in favor 
of the militia. 

The enemy's loss in killed and prisoners in these two 
actions amounted to more than one thousand two 
hundred men, while that of the Americans did not exceed 
fifty men. This was a hard stroke for the enemy, but 
their pride would not permit them to hesitate in their 
attempt to vanquish the country. As an illustration of 
their assumption and arrogancy the following proclama- 
tion by General Burgoyne will be found both interesting 
and amusing: 

BURGOYNE 'S PROCLAMATION. 

By John Burgoyne, Esq. Lieutenant-General of his 
Majesty's armies in America, Colonel of the Queen's 
regiment of light dragoons, Governor of Fort William in 
North Britain, one of the Representatives of the Com- 
mons of Great Britain in Parliament, and commanding 
an army and fleet employed on an expedition from Canada 
etc., etc., etc. 

The forces entrusted to my command are designed to 
act in concert and upon a common principle with the 
numerous armies and fleets which already display, in 
every quarter of America, the power, the justice and when 
properly sought, the mercy of the King. 

The cause in which the British arms are thus exerted 
applies to the most affecting interests of the human heart; 
and the military servants of the crown, at first called 
forth for the sole purpose of restoring the rights of tho 



166 Ethan Allen of Green Mountain Fame. 

constitution, now combine with love of their country, and 
duty to their sovereign the other extensive incitements 
which spring from a due sense of the general privileges of 
mankind. To the eyes and ears of the temperate part of 
the public, and to the breasts of suffering thousands in 
the provinces, be the melancholy appeal, whether the 
present unnatural rebellion has not been made a founda- 
tion for the completest system of tyranny that ever God 
in his displeasure suffered for a time to be exercised over 
the forward and stubborn generation. 

Arbitrary imprisonment, confiscation of property, 
persecution and torture, unprecedented in the inquisitions 
of the Romish church, are among the palpable enormities 
that verify the affirmative. These are inflicted by assem- 
blies and communities who dare to profess themselves 
friends to liberty, upon the most quiet subjects, without 
distinction of age or sex, for the sole crime, often for the 
sole suspicion, of having adhered in principle to the gov- 
ernment under which they were born, and to which by 
every tie, divine and human, they owe allegiance. To 
consummate these shocking proceedings, the profanation 
of religion is added to the most profligate prostitution of 
common reason; the consciences of men are set at naught 
and multitudes are compelled, not only to bear arms but 
also to swear subjection to an usurpation they abhor. 

Animated by these considerations at the head of 
troops in the full powers of health, discipline and valor, 
determined to strike where necessary, and anxious to 
spare where possible, I, by these presents, invite and 
exhort all persons in all places, where the progress of the 
army may point — and by the blessing of God, I wiU extend 



Keleased from Captivity. 167 

it far — to maintain such a conduct as may justify me in 
protecting their lands, habitations and families. The 
intention of this address is to hold forth security, not 
depredation, to the country. To those whom spirit and 
principle may induce to partake of the glorious task of 
redeeming their countrymen from dungeons, and re-estab- 
lishing the blessings of legal government, I offer encour- 
agement and employment, and upon the first intelligence 
of their associations, I will find means to assist their 
undertakings. The domestic, the industrious, the infirm 
and even the timid inhabitants, I am desirous to protect, 
provided they remain quietly in their houses; that they 
do not suffer their cattle to be removed, nor their corn, nor 
forage to be secreted nor destroyed; that they do not 
break up their bridges or roads; nor by any other act, 
directly or indirectly, endeavor to obstruct the operations 
of the King's troops or supply or assist those of the enemy. 
Every species of provisions brought to my camp, will be 
paid for at an equitable rate, and in solid coin. 

In consciousness of Christianity, my royal master's 
clemency, and the honor of soldiership, I have dwelt upon 
this invitation and wished for more persuasive terms to 
give it impression. And let not people be led to disregard 
it, by considering their distance from the immediate situa- 
tion of my camp. I have but to give stretch to the 
Indian forces under my direction and they amount to 
thousands, to overtake the hardened enemies of Great 
Britain and America. I consider them the same wherever 
they may be. 

If, notwithstanding these endeavors and sincere incli- 
nations to effect them, the frenzy of hostility should 



168 Ethan Allen of Green Mountain Fame. 

remain, I trust I shall stand acquitted in the eyes of God 
and men, in denouncing and executing the vengeance of 
the State against the wilful outcasts. The messengers of 
justice and of wrath await them in the field; and devasta- 
tion, famine and every concomitant horror that a reluc- 
tant but indispensable prosecution of military duty must 
occasion, will bar the way to their return. 

J. BURGOYNE. 
By his excellency the Lieutenant-General, 

RoBT. Kingston, Sec'y. 
Camp near Ticonderoga, 4th July, 1777. 

General Burgoyne was still the toast among the British, 
and the hardships of their prisoners were, in a great 
measure, increased or diminished in proportion to the 
expectation of ultimate success. Burgoyne's very osten- 
tatious Proclamation was on the tongue of most of the 
soldiery, especially the tories, and from it their faith in 
victory was raised to assurance. I wish, says Allen, that 
my countrymen in general could but have an idea of the 
assuming tyranny, and haughty, malevolent and insolent 
behavior of the enemy, at that time; and from thence 
discern the intolerable calamities which the men of this 
country have extricated themselves from, by their public 
spiritedness and bravery. 

General Burgoyne, after collecting his forces and stores, 
crossed the Hudson with a view of reaching Albany, but 
the American army after the many recent victories was 
being reinforced daily, which resulted in his detention at 
Saratoga. General Horatio Gates now took the command 
and was aided by Generals Lincoln and Benedict Arnold. 



Keleased from Captivity. 169 

On the evening of the 19th of September, the Americans 
attacked the British army with great determination and 
bravery, but darkness put an end to the action. The 
loss of the enemy was about five hundred killed and 
wounded. General Burgoyne was confined in a narrov\r 
pass, having the Hudson on one side and impassable 
woods on the other; a body of Americans was in his rear; 
he had ordered his boats burned so that retreat would 
be impossible; an army of thirteen thousand men 
had been collected and opposed him in front. On the 
7th of October, the armies came to a second action, 
this time at Saratoga, in which the British lost General 
Frazer together with a large number of officers and men. 
On the part of the Americans, the loss was not great, but 
Generals Benjamin Lincoln and Benedict Arnold were 
wounded. 

In an admirable selection entitled the ''Black Horse 
and His Rider, " Charles Sheppard describes this engage- 
ment more vividly and truthfully than any historian has 
yet attempted. When defeat seemed certain Benedict 
Arnold, riding a black horse, appeared before the retreating 
Americans and with drawn sword, shouted: ''Now, cowards, 
advance another step and I'll strike you to the heart! 
What ! You Americans, men, and fly before British soldiers ! 
Back again and face them once more! or I myself will 
ride you down!" The appeal was not in vain, the Ameri- 
cans turned, and before night they had carried the heights 
and Saratoga had fallen into the hands of the patriots, 
with few fatalities. 

The dowmfall of General Burgoyne and surrender of 
his whole army ten days later, together with 5,100 men, as 



170 Etlian Allen of Green Mountain Fame, 

many guns and forty-two cannon, dashed the aspiring 
hopes and expectations of the enemy and broke the spirit 
of haughty general and opulent nation, and made the tories 
bite the dust with anguish. The valor of the sons of 
liberty, together with that of their brave officers, seemed 
in an instant faised to the clouds and immortalize:! 
Horatio Gates,and has had a tendency to lessen the stigma 
which afterward rested on the name of the brave but 
misguided Benedict Arnold. 

No sooner had the Mowledge of this interesting and 
important event if^ached Louis XVI, King of France, 
than that unfortunate but just ruler ''auspiciously in- 
fluenced by heaven to promote the reciprocal interests 
and happiness of the ancient kingdom of France, and the 
new and rising states of America, " passed the decisive 
decree that the United States of America should be free 
and independent. Vaunt no more. Old England, says an 
early chronicler, consider you are but an Island and that 
your power has been continued longer than the exercise 
of your humanity. Order your broken and vanquished 
battalions to retire from America, the scene of your 
cruelties. Go home and repent in dust and sackcloth for 
your aggravated crimes. The cries of bereaved parents, 
widows and orphans reach heaven, and you are abominated 
by every friend of America. Take your friends, the tories 
with you and be gone, and drink deep of the cup of humil- 
iation. Make peace with the Princess of the house of 
Bourbon, for you are in no condition to wage war with 
them. Your veteran soldiers are fallen in America and 
your glory is departed. Be quiet and pay your debts, 
especially for the hire of the Hessians. There is no other 



Eeleased from Captivity. 171 

way for you to get into credit again, but by reformation 
and plain honesty, which you have despised; for your 
power is by no means sufficient to support your vanity. 

I have had an opportunity to see a great deal of British 
vanity, and felt its severe effects, and learned lessons of 
wisdom and policy, says Allen, when I wore her heavy 
irons, and bore her bitter revilings and reproaches. I 
have something of a smattering of philosophy and under- 
rtand human nature in all its stages tolerably well; am 
thoroughly acquainted with her national crimes, and 
have assured her that they not only cry aloud for heaven's 
vengeance, but incite mankind to rise up against her. 
Virtue, wisdom and policy are in a national sense always 
connected with power, or in other words power is their 
offspring, and such power as is directed by virtue, wisdom 
and policy, never fails finally to destroy itself as England's 
has done. It is so in the nature of things, and unfit that 
it should be otherwise; for if it was not so, vanity, injus- 
tice and oppression might reign triumphant forever. I 
know there are still individuals in England who retain 
their virtue and consequently their honor and humanity. 
Those I really pity as they must more or less suffer in the 
calamity in which the nation is plunged headlong; but 
as a nation, I hate and despise them. My affections are 
Frenchified — I glory in Louis the Sixteenth, the generous 
and powerful ally of these States ; am fond of a connection 
with so enterprising, learned, polite, courteous and com- 
mercial a nation, and am sure that I express the senti- 
ments and feelings of all of the friends of the present 
revolution. I have begun to learn the French tongue 
and recommend it to my countrymen before Hebrew, 



172 Ethan Allen of Green Mountain Fame. 

Greek, or Latin (provided but one of them is to be at- 
tended to). 

Nothing could have served so effectually to illuminate, 
polish and enrich these States as the present revolution, 
as well as to preserve their liberty. Mankind is naturally 
too national, even to a degree of bigotry. Commercial 
intercourse with foreign nations has a great and necessary 
tendency to improve mankind and erase the superstition 
of the mind by acquainting them that human nature, 
policy and interest are the same in all nations, yet at the 
same time they are bartering commodities for the con- 
venience and happiness of each nation; they may re- 
ciprocally exchange such part of their customs and man- 
ners as may be beneficial, yet learn to extend charity and 
goodwill to the whole world of mankind. 

I was confined in the provost gaol at New York, the 
26th day of August, 1777, and continued there to the 3rd 
day of May, 1778, when I was taken out under guard, and 
conducted to a sloop in the harbor at Nev\^ York, in which 
I was guarded to Staten Island, to General Campbell's 
quarters where I was admitted to eat and drink with the 
General, and several other British officers and treated for 
two days in a polite manner. As I was drinking wine 
v/ith them one evening, I made an observation on my 
transition from the provost criminals to the company of 
gentlemen; adding that I was the same man still and 
should give the British credit through him (speaking to 
the General) for two days' good usage. 

The next day Colonel Archibald Campbell, who was 
exchanged for me, came to this place, conducted by Mr. 
Boudinot, the then American Commissary of prisoners 



Released from Captivity. 173 

and saluted me in a handsome manner, saying that he 
never was more glad to see any gentleman in his life ; and 
I gave him to understand that I was equally glad to see 
him, and was apprehensive that it was from the same 
motive. The gentlemen present laughed at the fancy and 
conjectured that sweet liberty was the foundation of our 
gladness; so we took a glass of wine together, and then 
I was accompanied by General Campbell, Colonel Camp- 
bell, Mr. Boudinot and a number of British officers to 
the boat which was ready to sail to Elizabethtown Point. 
Meanwhile I entertained them with a rehearsal of the 
cruelties exercised towards our prisoners and assured them 
that I should use my influence that their prisoners should 
be treated in future in the same manner as they should in 
future treat ours; that I thought their example should 
be applied to their own prisoners. Then we exchanged the 
decent ceremonies of compliment and parted. I sailed 
to the point aforesaid and, in a transport of joy, landed 
on liberty ground, and as I advanced into the country, 
received the acclamations of a grateful people. 

I soon fell into company with Colonel Sheldon of the 
light horse, who in a polite and obliging manner accom- 
panied me to general headquarters at Valley Forge, where 
I was courteously received by General Washington, with 
peculiar marks of approbation and esteem, and was intro- 
duced to most of the generals and many of the principal 
officers of the army, who treated me with respect; and 
after having offered General Washington my further 
services in behalf of my country as soon as my health, 
which was very much impaired, would admit, and obtain- 
ing his license to return home, I took my leave of his Excel- 



174 Ethan Allen of Green Mountain Fame. 

lency and set out from Valley Forge with General Gates 
and his suit for Fishkill, where we arrived the latter end 
of May. In this tour the General was pleased to treat 
me with the familiarity of a companion, and generosity 
of a lord, and to him I made known some striking circum- 
stances which occured in the course of my captivity. I 
then bid farewell to my noble general and the gentlemen 
of his retinue, and set out for Bennington, the capital of 
the Green Mountain Boys, where I arrived the evening 
of the last day of May, to their great surprise; for I was 
to them as one risen from the dead, and now both their 
joy and mine was complete. Three cannon were fired 
that evening, and next morning Colonel Herrick gave 
orders, and fourteen more were discharged, welcoming 
me to Bennington, my usual place of abode; thirteen 
were fired for the United States and one for young Ver- 
mont. 




GENERAL BURGOYNE. 



CHAPTER XII. 

A COUNTER PROCLAMATION. 

Having completed the history of the events connected 
with the captivity of Ethan Allen, we now resume the 
account of the controversy between the settlers on the 
New Hampshire Grants and the authorities of New York, 
which continued until the war with Great Britain was 
well advanced. 

The inhabitants of the Grants were at this period 
(1775) without any settled form of government. Com- 
munity of interests had thus far kept them together and 
given energy and unanimity to their proceedings. The 
partial relief from the interference of the New York au- 
thorities experienced at the commencement of the war, 
served to convince them of the weakness of their po- 
litical ties, and of the necessity of a better internal organ- 
ization. Accordingly, at the close of the year 1775, a 
number of influential individuals went to Philadelphia 
where the Continental Congress was then in session, to 
procure the advice of that body relative to the best policy 
to be pursued under the existing circumstances. No 
formal measures were adopted by the Congress, however, 
in relation to the disputes of the settlers; but upon the 
return of the delegates, a large number of circulars 
setting forth the opinions of several influential members 
of Congress in favor of a temporary association under 

176 



176 Ethan Allen of Green Mountain Fame. 

proper regulations were distributed among the people of 
New Hampshire and Vermont. 

In pursuance of these recommendations, a convention 
of delegates from all sections of the Green Mountain 
country assembled at Dorset, N. H., on the 16th of Jan- 
uary, 1776. A petition was forwarded to Congress in 
which a brief sketch of the controversy with New York 
was given, expressing a willingness to bear their pro- 
portionate share of the burdens arising from the war then 
in progress. They also declared their unwillingness to be 
considered in any manner subjects to the authority or 
jurisdiction of New York. The Congressional Com- 
mittee to which the petition was referred, recommended 
the petitioners to submit for the present, to the Govern- 
ment of New York, and assist their fellow countrymen in 
the great contest with Great Britain; the committee de- 
clared that such submission would not prejudice their 
right to any land in controversy, or be construed as ad- 
mitting the jurisdiction of New York over the Green 
Mountain country when the troubles with England 
should be ended. Not being considered favorable to the 
settlers on the Grants, the delegate who presented the 
petition to Congress withdrew it before it received the 
final action of that body. 

On the 4th of July, following the presentation of the 
petition, Congress announced to the world the passage of 
the immortal Declaration of Independence. This placed 
the people of Vermont in a situation more difficult and 
embarrassing than they were before and much speculation 
was indulged in by the settlers in regard to the course 
they should pursue. It was urged by some that they 



A Counter Proclamation. 177 

should immediately place themselves under the jurisdic- 
tion of New Hampshire, while others thought that they 
should submit to the authority of New York. The more 
resolute and influential, among whom was Ethan Allen, 
Seth Warren and Remember Baker, were, however, in 
favor of assuming the powers of independent state gov- 
ernment and hazarding the consequences. That the 
difficulty might be amicably settled, or at least an attempt 
be made, the people assembled in convention at Dorset 
on the 24th of July, 1776. An association was agreed 
upon for the defense of their common country. A reso- 
lution was also adopted declaring that they would not 
associate with, or submit, to the provincial government 
of either New Hampshire or New York pending the war 
with England. The Convention adjourned to meet on 
the 25th of September, when it was unanimously resolved 
''to take suitable measures, as soon as may be, to declare 
the New Hampshire Grants a free and separate District." 
At the third session of the Convention, held on the 15th 
of January, 1777, it was declared that ''this Convention, 
whose members are duly chosen by the free voice of their 
constitutents, in the several towns on the New Hamp- 
shire Grants, in our names, and in behalf of our con- 
stitutuents, do hereby proclaim and publicly declare that 
the district or territory comprehending and usually known 
by the name and description of the New Hampshire 
Grants, of right ought to be, and is hereby declared ever 
after to be, a free and independent jurisdiction, or State^ 
and to be hereafter called, known and distinguished 
by the name of New Connecticut or Vermont. This 
declaration was unanimously adopted by the Convention, 



178 Ethan Allen of Green Mountain Fame. 

and a petition, or rather, a copy of the above resolution, 
was forwarded to the Congress at Philadelphia in which 
it was announced ''to all the world" that the territory to 
be known as Vermont, but formerly called the New 
Hampshire Grants, was now and henceforth a free and 
independent State. The so-called petition closed by 
praying that they might be acknowledged by Congress, 
and that delegates from Vermont might be admitted to 
seats in that body. 

These measures were considered by the legislatures 
of the neighboring States. New Hampshire, Massa- 
chusetts and Connecticut were willing that Vermont 
should become a member of the confederacy, but New 
York regarded the request as treason and rebellion to her 
authority. In this state of things, communications 
emanating from two different conventions of the people 
of New York, were addressed to the Congress in which the 
proceedings of Vermont were represented as resulting 
from the acts and instigations of designing men, and not 
from a desire of the inhabitants to renounce their alle- 
giance to the authority of New York. Ethan Allen, of 
Bennington, was named as the chief instigator and the 
principal in most of the disturbances on the Grants. 

After the adoption of various measures by both Ver- 
mont and New York, Congress at last took up the matter, 
and the communications of both parties were referred to 
a committee of the whole; the committee, among other 
things, resolved ''That Congress would not recommend 
or countenance anything injurious to the rights and juris- 
diction of the several communities herein represented." 
"That the inhabitants of the New Hampshire Grants 



A Counter Proclamation. 179 

cannot be justified in their declaration of Independence, 
by the example of the United Colonies nor by any act 
or resolution of Congress." ^^That the petition of Ver- 
mont to be recognized as an independent State, and to 
have her delegates admitted to seats in Congress, be dis- 
missed." 

While these important matters were being con- 
sidered by Congress, the people of Vermont were engaged 
in forming a constitution for the regulation of their civil 
government. A convention, composed of the same 
delegates which declared the independence of Vermont 
met at Windsor on the first Wednesday in June, 1777, 
and appointed a committee to make a draft of a state 
constitution. A resolution was also adopted recom- 
mending that each town elect delegates to meet in con- 
vention at Windsor on the second day of the following 
June for the purpose of discussing and adopting said 
constitution. The Convention assembled at the ap- 
pointed time, and after a long and serious discussion 
a constitution was read and adopted. It was, however, 
revised at a subsequent Convention, which met at Wind- 
sor, and the first election under the new constitution was 
ordered to be held on the first Tuesday in March, 1778. 

The determination of Vermont to maintain her inde- 
pendence at all hazards evidently contributed to effect 
an alteration in the policy of New York. On the 23rd of 
February, 1778, Governor Clinton issued a proclamation 
in which he confirmed the titles of the settlers to their 
lands in certain cases, and made several concessions in 
their favor, but the right of New York to extend her 
jurisdiction over the Grants was not relinquished. The 



180 Ethan Allen of Green Mountain Fame. 

people were commanded, '' at their peril to yield obedience 
and allegiance" to New York, and in all respects to gov- 
ern themselves as peaceable and quiet citizens. To this 
proclamation Ethan Allen, ever on the alert to detect 
political cunning and always willing to expose it, pub- 
lished the following answer: 

This Proclamation [the one issued by Governor Clin- 
ton, May 23, 1778], after mentioning a disaffection of 
many persons, inhabiting the northeast parts of the 
county of Albany and certain parts of the counties of 
Charlotte, Cumberland and Gloucester, proceeds to affirm 
that these tracts of country were clearly included within 
the ancient, original, true and lately established bounds 
of the state of New York. 

That many, nay almost the whole of the inhabitants 
in those counties, viz. the State of Vermont, are disaffected 
to the government of New York, will not be disputed. 
This is a fact; but it is not a fact that the ancient, original 
and true bounds of New York included those lands. The 
first intimation that ever saluted the ears of the public 
asserting this doctrine, was from a proclamation of Gov- 
ernor Tryon, dated the 11th day of December, 1771. 
which begins thus: ^'Whereas, it is the ancient and in- 
contestable right of this colony to extend to the Connecticut 
river as its eastern boundary." This assertion has been 
answered at large, in my treatise on the conduct of this 
government towards the New Hampshire settlers; to 
which I refer the reader, and at present observe that as the 
quoted assertions in these Proclamations are wholly with- 
out foundation, they need only to be as positively denied 
as they are asserted. The fact is that the tract of land 



A Counter Proclamation. 181 

which now comprehends the State of Vermont was univer- 
sally known to be a part of the government of New Hamp- 
shire. Thus it was placed by all Geographers in their 
maps until the year 1764, when the English King, for 
certain political reasons, which I shall mention, extended 
the jurisdiction of New York over the premises, by his 
special authority. At the time of the alteration of this 
jurisdiction, jealousies had fired the minds of King and 
Parliament against the growth and rising power of 
America, and at this time they began to advance men and 
governments into power, with a political design to crush 
the liberties of America. New York had ever been their 
favorite government. They could almost vie with Great 
Britain in the art of vassalaging common people, and in 
erasing every idea of liberty from the human mind, by 
making and keeping them poor and servile. This, Great 
Britain well knew and therefore fleeced a large territory 
from New Hampshire and added it to New York, to de- 
press the power of the one and enlarge and extend the 
other. A well-concerted plan; but the Green Mountain 
Boys disconcerted it by throwing their weight into the 
scale of Congress, which, thank God, has fairly prepond- 
erated. Thus may be seen the design as well as date, of 
the original, ancient and true bounds of the state of Ver- 
mont; and for the same reason it was thus extended by 
Great Britain, it will undoubtedly be curtailed by Con- 
gress. 

As to the acts of outlawry, mentioned .in the Procla- 
mation, they died a natural death the first day of January, 
1776, as may be seen from the act itself, here quoted: 
''And be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid, 



182 Ethan Allen of Green Mountain Fame. 

that this act shall remain and continue in full force and 
effect from the passing thereof until the first day of Jan- 
uary, which will be in the year of our Lord, one thousand 
seven hundred and seventy-six." 

The subjects of the State of Vermont were under no 
apprehensions from these old lifeless acts. Nor do I con- 
ceive that the present legislature of the State of New York 
has laid them under any obligation, in granting them a 
pardon. It was a matter which formerly respected 
Governor Tryon, the old legislature of New York and the 
Green Mountain Boys; and the party last mentioned 
chose to settle that old quarrel with Mr. Tryon, and 
resent it that the legislature of the State of New York 
has so late in the day, undertaken to give an ''uncondi- 
tional discharge and remission of all penalties and forfeit- 
ures incurred," under an act which had been long dead; 
and which, when alive, served only to discover to the 
world the wickedness and depravity of that legislative 
body which enacted them. In the lifetime of this act, I 
was called by the Yorkers an outlaw, and afterwards, by 
the British, was called a rebel; and I humbly conceive 
that there was as much propriety in the one name as the 
other; and I verily believe that the King's commissioners 
would now be as willing to pardon me for the sin of rebel- 
lion, provided I would afterwards be subject to Britain, 
as the legislature above mentioned, provided I would be 
subject to New York; and I must confess I had as lief be a 
subject to the one as the other; and it is well known, I have 
had great experience in them both. 

Next, I propose to consider that part of the Proclama- 
tion called overtures, which are contained in the three 



A Counter Proclamation. 183 

first articles. Article 1st. ''That all persons, actually- 
possessing and improving lands, by title under grants 
from New Hampshire or Massachusetts Bay, and not 
granted under New York, shall be confirmed in their re- 
spective possessions." 

This article cannot be considered of any material con- 
sequence, inasmuch as among almost the whole posses- 
sions referred to in the article, there are but very few, if 
any, but what are covered with New York grants. 

The second article is as follows: ''That all persons 
possessing and improving lands, not granted by either of 
the three governments, shall be confirmed in their respect- 
ive possessions, together with such additional quantity of 
vacant land lying contiguous to each respective possession 
as may be necessary to form the same into a convenient 
farm, so as the quantity of land to be confirmed to each 
respective possessor shall not exceed three hundred acres.' ^ 

Neither of these articles, called overtures, affect the 
controversy, except in some very few instances; all the 
possessions spoken of were first granted by New Hamp- 
shire, except some few which were granted by Massa- 
chusetts Bay; and then, lastly, almost the v/hole of 
those possessions were re-granted by New York. This 
being the case, what has been hitherto proposed does not 
reach the essence of the controversy as the New Yorkers 
very well know, besides it is not in the power of the gov- 
ernment to confirm any of these possessions, which have 
been already granted, and therefore become the property 
of the grantees, as will be more fully discussed in its 
proper place. I proceed to the third article of the much 
discussed overtures. "That where lands have been 



184 Ethan Allen of Green Mountain Fame. 

heretofore granted by New Hampshire and Massachusetts 
Bay, or either of them, and actually possessed in conse- 
quence thereof, and being so possessed, were afterwards 
granted by New York, such possessions shall be con- 
firmed — the posterior grant under New York notwith- 
standing." 

Though it is absolutely out of the power of the said 
legislative authority to confirm the possessions men- 
tioned, yet to discover their want of generosity in their 
proposal, I shall in the first place consider what a trifling 
proportion of those possessions could be confirmed upon 
their own stating, inasmuch as the confirming clause in the 
article only confirms the possessor, who w^s so possessed 
at the time that the New York grant was made, and has no 
respect to any additional possession carried on after the 
grant took place. The identical words are, ''And being 
so possessed," etc. After such possession was actually 
made, and the possessor being so in possession at the time 
the grant took place that such possession shall be con- 
firmed by any later possession cannot be included in the 
condition of ''being so possessed; for a later possession 
was no possession at all at the time the condition of pos- 
session took place; and consequently every possession 
which has been begun in the State of Vermont, since the 
lands were granted by New York, must be lost to the 
possessor and fall into the hands of the New York 
grantees with all other uncultivated lands in the State; 
and all our purchases of those lands from New Hampshire 
and Massachusetts Bay fall to the ground, together with 
our possessions, which have been increased an hundred 
fold." 



A Counter Proclamation. 185 

These overtures have hitherto been considered only in 
a grammatical and logical sense, allowing them their own 
construction. I now proceed to consider them in a legal 
sense. A legislative authority, within its own jurisdic- 
tion, may confirm a possession on vacant land, by making 
a grant of the same to the possessor; but for the legislative 
authority of the State of New York to pretend, as they 
do in their Proclamation, to vacate any grants made by 
their own authority, in favor of any possession, and to 
confirm such possessions, by nullifying and defeating their 
own grants, is the height of folly and stupidity; for the 
lands being once granted, the property passeth to the 
grantee; who is become the sole proprietor of the same; 
and he is as independent of that legislative authority 
which granted it as any person may be supposed to be, 
who purchased a farm of land of me by deed of convey- 
ance, and it is as much out of the power of the legisla- 
ture to vacate a grant made by them, or the same author- 
ity, in favor of any possessor, as it is out of my power to 
vacate my deed of conveyance in favor of some second 
person. It is contrary to common sense to suppose that 
the property of the subject is at the arbitrary disposal 
of the legislature; if it was, they might give a grant to- 
day and vacate it tomorrow, and so on, ad infinitum. 
This would destroy the very nature and existence of per- 
sonal property, as the whole would depend on the sover- 
eign will and last act of the legislature; but the truth of 
the matter is, the first conveyance will, and ought to hold 
good; and this defeats all subsequent conveyances. 

From what has been said on this subject, it appears 
that the overtures in the Proclamation set forth, are 



186 Ethan Allen of Green Mountain Fame. 

either romantic or calculated to deceive woods people, 
who, in general, may not be supposed to understand law 
or the power of a legislative authority. 

I have further to evince my arguments on this subject 
by the concurring opinion of the Lords of the Board of 
Trade, on complaint made to them from those very per- 
sons possessing the land we are speaking of. That clause 
of their report which is similar to what 1 have argued, 
is in these words: ''Such subsequent grants made by the 
government of New York, however unwarrantable, can- 
not be set aside by any authority from his Majesty, in 
case the grantees shall insist on their title." 

Thus it appears, in a trial (of the same case we are 
treating of) before the Board of Trade, that the King, 
under whose authority the government of New York had 
in an oppressive manner granted those very lands, could 
not, by his royal authority, vacate or set aside the grants; 
yet, the present legislative authority of the State of New 
York proclaim to the world and pledge the faith of 
government that they will do it. But enough has been 
said on the impossibility of it, as well as on the ungener- 
ousness of the proposal; and as to the writ-rents, the 
general assembly of the State of Vermont will determine 
their expediency and probably release them all. 

What has here been observed, answers every part 
of the Proclamation worth notice, as the five last articles 
had an entire reference to the three first; though it may 
be worth observing that the time of compliance with those 
overtures has expired; and it is my opinion that but few 
of the subjects of the State of Vermont have closed with 
them. The main inducement 1 had in answering them 



A Counter Proclamation. 187 

was to draw a full and convincing proof from the same, 
that the shortest, best and most eligible, I had almost 
said, the only possible way of vacating those New York 
interfering grants, is to maintain inviolable the supremacy 
of the legislative authority of the independent State of 
Vermont. This, at one stroke, overturns every New 
York scheme which may be calculated for our ruin, makes 
us free men, confirms our property, ''and puts it fairly in 
our power to help ourselves" to the enjoyment of the 
great blessings of a free, uncorrupted and virtuous civil 

government. 

Ethan Allen, 
Bennington, August 9, 1778. 

The declaration of their independence by the people 
of Vermont gave occasion to numerous and perplexing 
difficulties. No sooner had Vermont organized a govern- 
ment than the inhabitants of sixteen towns bordering on 
the Connecticut river, in New Hampshire, manifested a 
disposition to dissolve their connection with that State 
and unite with Vermont. In justification of the separa- 
tion it was contended 'Hhat all the lands west of the 
Mason Line being royal grants had been held in subjection 
to the government of New Hampshire by force of the 
royal commissions which were vacated by the assumed 
independence of the American Colonies, and therefore 
the inhabitants of those grants had reverted to a state of 
nature, ''and v/ere at liberty to form whatever govern- 
ment they thought proper." In pursuance of this deter- 
mination they persented a petition to the legislature of 
Vermont on the 12th of March, 1778, praying for annex- 
ation. This application greatly embarrassed the Legis- 



188 Ethan Allen of Green Mountain Fame. 

lature, but at its June session it was voted that the union 
take place ; thirty-seven members voted in the affirmative 
and twelve in the negative. 

The government of New Hampshire was justly in- 
censed at these proceedings. William Ware, President 
of the Council of that State, addressed a letter to the 
Federal Congress on the 19th of August asking advice 
in relation to the subject, and on the 22nd of August, in 
the name of the General Assembly, he wrote to Governor 
Chittenden of Vermont claiming the sixteen towns as a 
part of New Hampshire. On the reception of this com- 
munication the Governor convened the Council, and it 
was agreed that Colonel Ethan Allen should proceed to 
Philadelphia and learn in what light the proceedings of 
Vermont were regarded by the Congress. On his return, 
Allen made the following report: 

To his Excellency the Governor, the Honorable Coun- 
cil and to the Representatives of the freemen of the State of 
Vermont, in General Assembly met. 
Gentlemen: 

The subscriber hereto begs leave to make the following 
report, viz: 

By the desire of his Excellency, and at the request of 
several of the members of the honorable the council, to me 
made in September last, I have taken a journey to Phila- 
delphia, in order to gain knowledge how the political sit- 
uation of the State of Vermont stood, in the view of Con- 
gress; which I here exhibit. 

• On the 16th day of September last I was informed by 
members of Congress that the delegates from the State 
of New Hampshire exhibited to Congress a remonstrance 



A Counter Proclamation. 189 

(which they had previously received from the council and 
assembly of said State) against the proceedings of the 
State of Vermont, with respect to their taking into union 
a number of towns on the east side of the Connecticut 
river, and in their inviting other towns to revolt from 
New Hampshire; a copy of which I herewith exhibit; a 
matter which they allege was incompatible with the right 
of New Hampshire, and an infringement on the confed- 
eracy of the United States of America, and therefore 
desire the Congress to take the matter under consideration, 
and grant some order thereon, to prevent the effusion of 
blood and the confusion and disorders which would 
otherwise, inevitably ensue. 

The delegates from New York, at the same time, 
exhibited to Congress sundry papers containing allega- 
tions against the State of Vermont, which after some 
altercations were admitted; and it was agreed that the 
same, together with the remonstrance from the State of 
New Hampshire, should be taken under consideration on 
the afternoon of the 18th by a committee of the whole 
house; at which time it was moved to be brought for- 
ward, but urgent business occasioned its being deferred 
to the 19th, at which time I arrived at Philadelphia, and 
being immediately informed of the business by some of 
the members of Congress, I used my influence against 
its being hastily determined ex parte; and particularly 
objected to the complaints from the State of New Hamp- 
shire and New York, their being both considered at the 
same time, alleging that they were of a very different na- 
ture. In consequence of this, together with my earnest 
request and application^ I obtained assurance that the 



190 Ethan Alleu of Green Mountain Fame. 

matter should not be brought to a decision before I 
could have an opportunity to lay the matter before this 
people, as I had previously let the members of Congress 
know that the assembly of this state was to set at this 
time and I engaged to transmit the proceedings of this 
assembly to Congress as soon as they transpired, at their 
request. 

The allegations thrown out by New York, received a 
most severe shock on the perusal of my late pamphlet in 
answer to his Excellency, Governor Clinton's proclama- 
tion, dated in February last, containing certain overtures 
to the inhabitants of this State, as well as from my 
treatise on the nature and merit of the New York claim, 
and their treatment of the inhabitants of this the now 
State of Vermont. In fact, the New York complaints 
will never prove of sufficient force in Congress to prevent 
the establishment of this State. But from what I have 
heard and seen of the disapprobation in Congress of the 
union with sundry towns east of the Connecticut river, I 
am sufficiently convinced to offer it as my opinion that 
except this State recede from such union immediately 
the whole power of the confederacy of the United States 
of America will join to annihilate the State of Vermont 
and to vindicate the right of New Hampshire and to 
maintain, inviolate, the articles of confederation which 
guarantee to each State its privileges and immunities. 

Thus, gentlemen, I have given you a short representa- 
tion of the political situation in this State as it now 
stands in the general Congress of the United States of 
America, upon which I stake my honor. 



A Counter Proclamation. 191 

Given under my hand at Windsor this 10th day of 
October, A. D. 1778. 

Ethan Allen. 

The discussion of the question relative to the union 
with the sixteen towns in New Hampshire occupied the 
consideration of the Vermont legislature for several 
successive sessions, but on the 12th of February, 1779, it 
was voted that the union be dissolved. This determina- 
tion was immediately communicated to the government 
of New Hampshire by Ira Allen, the youngest bx'other of 
Ethan Allen, and the legislature of that State, encouraged 
by the concession of Vermont and by the dissatisfaction 
existing in many of her frontier towns, resolved to lay 
claim not only to the sixteen towns which had united 
with Vermont but to the whole territory as grants 
originally made to that Province. Congress was applied 
to for a confirmation of this claim, while at the same time 
New York made a similar application to the same body. 
In this position of affairs, the State of Massachusetts 
interposed, and laid a claim to a portion of the territory, 
claiming that a part lay within her jurisdiction. Thus by 
the rival claims of these adjoining States were the in- 
habitants of Vermont subjected to humiliation without 
aid from the Continental Congress to which she had a 
right to look for protection and assistance in her internal 
as well as external difficulties. 

On the 7th of July, 1778, Governor Clinton of New 
York wrote to his adherents in Vermont, recommending 
that wherever the friends of New York were sufficiently 



192 Ethan Allen of Green Mountain Fame 

powerful, '^firm resistance should be made to the drafting 
of men, the raising of taxes/' and to all the acts of the 
'^deal State of Vermont;" and that '^associations be 
formed for mutual defense against this usurpation." 

In conformity to the expressed wishes of Governor 
Clinton, a convention of the friends of New York met at 
Brattleboro, Vermont, on the 4th of May, 1779. After 
perfecting an organization, a petition to the Governor of 
New York was drawn up in which was asserted that the 
''ideal State of Vermont" was proceeding to confiscate 
their property, and they therefore ''entreated his 
Excellency to take immediate measures for protecting 
the legal subjects of that part of the state, and for con- 
vincing Congress of the impropriety of delaying a decision 
in a matter which so nearly concerned the peace, welfare 
and lives of so many of their firm adherents.' ' A military 
association was, also, formed about the same time for the 
purpose of resisting the authority of Vermont. 

In consequence of these proceedings on the part of 
New York, the governor of Vermont gave orders to Ethan 
Allen to call out the militia. When informed of this 
movement, Colonel Patterson, who held a commission in 
the County of Cumberland under the New York authority, 
addressed a letter to Governor Clinton in which he asked 
for directions relative to the emergency of the case 
suggesting the propriety and necessity of receiving assist- 
ance from the military force of the County of Albany. 
In answer to this communication, the Governor gave 
assurance of protection and recommended that "the 
authority of Vermont should not be acknowledged ex- 
cept in the alternative of submission or inevitable ruin." 



A Counter Proclamation. 193 

Governor Clinton, on the 18th of May following, 
wrote to the President of Congress at Philadelphia (John 
Hancock) in regard to the difficulties existing between 
the two states — declaring that '^matters were fast ap- 
proaching a very serious crisis, which nothing but the im- 
mediate action of Congress could possibly prevent;" that 
he daily ''expected he should be obliged to order out a 
force for the defense of those who adhered to New York;' ' 
and ''that the wisdom of Congress would suggest to them 
what could be the consequence of submitting the con- 
troversy, especially at this juncture, to the decision of the 
sword; but that justice, the faith of government, the 
peace and safety of society, would not permit them to 
continue any longer passive spectators of the violence 
committed on their fellow citizens.' ' This letter, together 
with several other documents relating to the controversy, 
was laid before Congress on the 29th of May, 1779 and was 
referred to a committee of the whole. On the first day of 
June, Congress resolved that "a committee be appointed 
to repair to the inhabitants of a certain district known by 
the name of the New Hampshire Grants, and inquire into 
the reasons why they refuse to continue citizens of the 
respective states which have claimed jurisdiction over 
the said district and that they take every prudent 
measure to promote an amicable settlement and to pre- 
vent divisions and animosities so prejudicial to the 
United States." 

While the foregoing matters were engaging the atten- 
tion of Congress, Colonel Allen marched with an armed 
force and made prisoners of Colonel Patterson and others 
acting under the New York authority. Complaint was 



194 Ethan Allen of Green Mountain Fame. 

immediately made to Governor Clinton and a letter was 
'addressed by him to Congress wherein he stated what 
had taken place, that he strongly disapproved of the 
resolutions adopted by Congress and requested that the 
committee appointed to go in person to the New Hamp- 
shire Grants postpone their visit until after the ensuing 
session of the New York legislature. 

On the 16th of June it was resolved by Congress that 
the officers captured by Colonel Allen should be set at 
liberty, and that the committee referred to be directed 
to inquire into the circumstances connected with the 
hasty action of Colonel Allen. Only two of the com- 
mittee appointed by Congress attended to the duty 
assigned them; owing to the excited state of public 
feehng, however, they failed to accomplish the object of 
their mission. Upon their return to Philadelphia they sub- 
mitted their report to Congress without recommenda- 
tion. 

Several communications were forwarded to Congress 
by the people of Vermont in relation to their rights, but 
the consideration of them was postponed until the 2nd 
Tuesday in September, 1780. Ira Allen and Stephen 
R. Bradley of Vermont were appointed a committee 
to proceed to Congress to see that the State received 
fair treatment on the part of the delegates. The mat- 
ter Vv^as taken up by Congress on the 19th of September — 
the '^ Agents" of Vermont being permitted to be present, 
but not as the representatives or as the delegates of a body 
of people invested with legislative authority. Efforts 
were made by both New Hampshire and New York, to 
prove their respective claims to the disputed territory; it 



A Counter Proclamation. 195 

soon became evident to Allen and Bradley that Vermont 
was not regarded as a party to the controversy, but 
that Congress in attempting to decide between New 
Hampshire and New York did not recognize her exist- 
ence as a distinct jurisdiction. 

These proceedings '^were viewed with alarm and 
indignation by the agents of Vermont/' and an imme- 
diate withdrawal of their attendance was the conse- 
quence. On the 22nd of September, they transmitted a 
remonstrance to Congress in which they lamented "the ne- 
cessity which obliges us to say that we can no longer sit 
as idle spectators without betraying the trust reposed 
in us, and doing violence to our own feelings, to see 
partial modes pursued, plans adopted, ex-parte evidence 
exhibited, which derives all authority from the attesta- 
tion of the party — passages in writings selected, giving 
a very false representation of facts, to answer no other 
end but to prejudice your Honorable body against the 
State of Vermont; thereby to intrigue and baffle a brave 
and meritorious people out of their rights and liberties.' ' 
They further say that they ''are willing to agree upon 
some one or more of the legislatures of the disinterested 
states, to interpose as mediators and settle the dispute,'' 
and conclude by observing that if Congress continue the 
exercise of her unjust policy, they ''stand ready to appeal 
to God and the world, who must be accountable for the 
awful consequences that must ensue." The subject of 
the controversy again occupied the attention of Congress 
on the 27th of September when the further consideration 
of it was postponed. 

The policy of Congress in postponing the decision of 



196 Etlian Allen of Green Mountain Fame. 

the controversy did not receive the cordial acquiescence 
of Vermont. It showed it is true that her claims to inde- 
pendence were partially recognized yet it had a' direct 
tendency to delay the final adjustment of those claims. 
In this condition of affairs the State of Vermont resolved 
upon the policy of extending her territory, thereby in- 
creasing her power and placing herself in a more imposing 
attitude. She was not unaware that a majority of the 
inhabitants in the western part of New Hampshire were 
still anxious to come within her jurisdiction, and to facili- 
tate the accomplishment of this object a convention com- 
posed of representatives from forty-three towns assembled 
at Charlestown, New Hampshire, on the 16th of January, 
1781; but the result was extremely mortifying to 
the adherents of Vermont, for it was found that a 
majority of the representatives were opposed to the con- 
templated union. A committee, however, was appointed by 
the Convention for the purpose of conferring with Ver- 
mont on the subject, and on the 10th of February, they 
informed the Legislature of Vermont, then in session at 
Windsor, that 'Hhe Convention of the New Hampshire 
towns was desirous of being united with Vermont in one 
separate government upon such principles as should be 
mutually thought the most equitable and beneficial to the 
State." Upon the report of the committee to whom it 
had been referred, the Legislature resolved that '4n order 
to quiet the present disturbances on the two sides of the 
Connecticut river, and the better to enable the inhabit- 
ants to defend their frontier, the Legislature of this State 
does lay a jurisdictional claim to all the lands east of the 



A Counter Proclamation. 197 

Connecticut river, north of Massachusetts, west of 
Mason's line, and south of latitude 45^; but they will 
not, for the time being, exercise said jurisdiction." 

A convention of the towns in New Hampshire anxious 
for the proposed union was then in session at Cornish on 
the opposite side of the river from Windsor; communi- 
cations by boat or ferry in relation to the matter in ques- 
tion were repeatedly exchanged between the committees 
of this body and the Legislature of Vermont. Articles of 
union were finally agreed upon — stipulating that the 
Vermont Constitution should be adopted by the towns in 
New Hampshire, that application should be made to 
Congress for admission into the union, that ''full act of 
oblivion be passed for former offences by persons who 
professed themselves subjects of the State of New York,'' 
and that the Legislature should inform all the towns in 
the State of Vermont as well as all the towns on the New 
Hampshire Grants east of the Connecticut river, of the action 
thus taken relative to the projected union, and that ''the 
votes of each town should be returned to the Assembly at 
their adjourned session, on the first Wednesday of April 
following; and on condition that two-thirds of the towns 
in the State of Vermont, at a legal town meeting, vote for 
the union, and also two-thirds of the towns on the New 
Hampshire Grants, east of the Connecticut river," then 
the union should take place, and the New Hampshire 
towns be at liberty to send representatives to the Legis- 
lature. At the session of the Legislature in the April follow- 
ing, it appeared that thirty-six towns were in favor of the 
union and seven opposed to it. The union was therefore 



198 Ethan Allen of Green Mountain Fame. 

consummated; in accordance with the consummation 
thirty-five Representatives from the towns on the east 
side of the Connecticut river took their seats in the Ver- 
mont Legislature. 

In consequence of the measures adopted by the State 
of New York, and the repeated solicitations from several 
towns in that State bordering on Vermpnt asking to be 
received into the Union, the Legislature on the 14th of 
February, 1781, laid jurisdictional claim to all the lands 
west of her present territory and east of the Hudson 
River to its source, and east of the North line, extending 
to the 45th degree of north latitude — providing that this 
jurisdiction should not be exercised for the time being. 
On the 11th of April, however, the Legislature of Ver- 
mont appointed a committee to attend a convention of 
delegates from the towns in New York desiring the union 
and to make the necessary arrangements for effecting it. 
This Convention met at Cambridge, N. Y., on the 15th 
of May — the articles of union were agreed to by both 
parties, and on the 16th of June following, were confirmed 
by the Legislature of Vermont and representatives from 
these towns were admitted to seats in that body. 



CHAPTER XIII. 

ADMISSION OF VERMONT INTO THE UNION. 

The people of Vermont having become exasperated by 
the refusal of Congress to recognize their claims to inde- 
pendence, and by the opposition they experienced in 
seeking admission mto the Union, determined to pur- 
sue a course which would secure their safety and inde-. 
pendence against the encroachments of the British on 
the north and the annoyance and interference from their 
fellow countrymen in other sections, east, west and 
south. The English, through their representatives in 
America, had for a long period entertained the hope of 
turning the disputes between Vermont and the other 
states to their own advantage by detaching that section 
of territory from the American cause, and making it a 
British province. 

The first intimation of this plan was communicated by 
Colonel Beverly Robinson to Colonel Ethan Allen in a 
letter dated the 30th of March, 1780. It was delivered 
to Colonel Allen by a British soldier in disguise in the 
streets of Arlington. Colonel Robinson commenced his 
letter by saying that he hoped that his proposals would 
be received in the same spirit with which he made them 
after which he proceeded to say that he had often been 
informed that Colonel Allen and most of the inhabitants 
of Vermont were opposed to the wild and chimerical 

199 



200 Ethan Allen of Green Mountain Fame. 

scheme of the Americans in attempting to separate 
from Great Britain and to establish an independent 
government of their own; and that he would willingly 
assist in uniting America to Great Britain, and in 
restoring that happy constitution so wantonly and unad- 
visedly destroyed. ''If I have been rightly informed/' 
proceeds the writer, ''and these should be your senti- 
ments and inclinations, I beg that you will communicate 
to me, without reserve, whatever proposals you would 
wish to make to the commander-in-chief, and I hereby 
promise that I Avill faithfully lay them before him accord- 
ing to your directions, and I flatter myself I can do it to 
as good effect as any person whatever. I can make no 
proposals to you until I know your sentiments; but 
think, upon your taking an active part and persuading 
the inhabitants of Vermont in favor of the crown of 
England, to act as the commander-in-chief shall direct, 
that you may obtain a separate government under the 
king and constitution of England, and the men, 
formed into regiments under such officers as you shall 
recommend, be on the same footing as all the provincial 
corps are. If you should think proper to send a friend 
of your own here, with proposals to the General, he shall 
be protected and well treated, and allowed to return 
whenever he pleases." The contents of this letter were 
immediately communicated by Colonel Allen to the 
Governor and other influential persons, who unanimously 
agreed that it would be impolitic to return an answer. 

On the 2nd of February, 1781, nearly a year after the 
receipt of the foregoing communication, Colonel Robinson 
addressed a second letter to Colonel Allen, inclosing a 



Admission of Vermont into the Union. 201 

copy of the former one in which he says, ''The frequent 
accounts we have had, for three months past, from your 
part of the country, confirms me in the opinion I had, 
of your inclination to join the king's cause, and assist in 
restoring America to her former peaceable and happy 
constitution. This induces me to make another trial in 
sending this to you, especially as I can write with more 
authority, and assure you that you may obtain the terms 
mentioned in the above letter, provided you and the 
people of Vermont take a decisive and active part with 
us.' ' To this communication Colonel Robinson requested 
an answer, stating also that some method might be pointed 
out for carrying on a future correspondence. 

No answer was returned to either of these letters by 
Colonel Allen, but on the 9th of March, 1781, he en- 
closed them in a communication to Congress. From 
the best of motives, and convinced of his own integrity, 
yet all the while smarting under the insults of the officials 
of the neighboring States, while seeking independence 
and legal separation from the ''Empire State," he ob- 
served in his note to Congress: "I am confident Congress 
will not dispute my sincere attachment to the cause 
of my country, though I do not hesitate to say, I am 
fully grounded in opinion that Vermont has an indubi- 
table right to agree on terms of a cessation of hostilities 
with Great Britain, providing the United States persists 
in rejecting her application for a union with them; for 
Vermont, of all people, would be the most miserable, 
were she obliged to defend the independence of the United 
(claiming) States, and they at the same time at full liberty 
to overturn and ruin the independence of Vermont. I 



202 Ethan Allen of Green Mountain Fame. 

am persuaded that when Congress considers the circum- 
stances of this State, they will be more surprised that I 
have transmitted them the inclosed letters, than that I 
have kept them in custody so long; for I am as resolutely 
determined to defend the independence of Vermont, as 
Congress is that of the United States; and rather than 
fail, will retire with the hardy Green Mountain Boys into 
the desolate caverns of the mountains and wage war 
with human nature at large.'' 

This negotiation was continued between the State of 
Vermont and the representatives of Great Britain until 
the year 1782 — having in its effect not only the protection 
of the State from the ravages of the British troops, but 
also to lessen the difficulties attendant upon her admission 
into the Union. To the firmness and undaunted patriotism 
of Colonel Allen in this circumstance may be attributed, 
in a great measure, the many lasting advantages which 
resulted from it. 

During the negotiations with the British authorities, 
the primary cause of it was not forgotten or neglected by 
Allen or the people of Vermont. Their efforts were still 
to continue to advance her internal interests and procure 
an acknowledgment of her claim to admission into the 
Union. On the 20th of August, 1781, in consequence of 
Allen's unceasing efforts, a committee appointed by Con- 
gress, made a report to that body in relation to the sub- 
ject, whereupon, the following resolution was adopted: 

''Resolved, That it be an indispensable preliminary to 
the recognition of the independence of the people inhabit- 
ing the territory called Vermont, and their admission into 
the federal union, that they explicitly relinquish all de- 



Admission of Vermont into the Union. 203 

mands of lands or jurisdiction on the east side of the west 
bank of the Connecticut River, and on the west side of a 
line beginning at the Northwest corner of the State of 
Massachusetts, thence running twenty miles east of Hud- 
son's River, so far as the said river runs northeasterly in 
its general course; then by the west bounds of the town- 
ships granted by the late government of New Hampshire, 
to the river running from South Bay to Lake Champlain, 
thence along the said Lake George to Lake Champlain, to 
the latitude of 45 degrees north; excepting a neck of land 
between Missisque Bay and the waters of Lake Cham- 
plain." 

Both the States of Vermont and New York were dis- 
satisfied with this resolution — the one because it stipu- 
lated as the condition of her admission into the confeder- 
acy, the dissolutions of her unions with the adjoining 
States, and the other because it recognized the justness of 
a claim against which she had long and strenuously con- 
tended. The subject was taken up by a committee of the 
Legislature of Vermont on the 17th of October, 1781 — 
when it was resolved as the ^'opinion of this committee 
that the Legislature cannot comply with the resolution 
without destroying the foundation of the present univer- 
sal harmony and agreement that subsists in this State, 
and a violation of solemn compact entered into by articles 
of union and confederation." 

The political condition of Vermont was now in every 
respect extremely alarming; and ^' all parties trembled at 
the fearful approach of civil war." Fortunately, however, 
for those concerned. Governor Chittenden received 
a letter from General Washington dated January 1, 



204 Ethan Allen of Green Mountain Fame. 

1782, in which he remarked — ''It is not my business, 
nor do I think it necessary now to discuss the origin of the 
right of a number of inhabitants of that tract of country 
formerly distinguished by the name of the New Hamp- 
shire Grants, and now by that of Vermont. I will take it 
for granted that their right was good because Congress 
by their resolution of the 7th of August implied it; and 
by that of the 20th are willing fully to confirm it pro- 
vided the new State is confined to certain described 
bounds. It appears therefore to me that the dispute of 
boundary is the only one that exists; and, that being re- 
moved all other difficulties would be removed also, and 
the matter terminate to the satisfaction of all parties. 
You have nothing to do but to withdraw your jurisdiction 
to the confines of your own limits and obtain an acknowl- 
edgement of independence and sovereignty, under the 
resolution of the 20th of August, for so much territory as 
does not interfere with the ancient established bounds of 
New Hampshire, New York and Massachusetts. In my 
private opinion, while it behooves the delegates to do 
ample justice to a people sufficiently respectable by their 
numbers, and entitled by other claims to be admitted 
into the confederation, it becomes them also to attend to 
the interests of their constituents and see that under the 
appearance of justice to one, they do not materially injure 
the others. I am inclined to think this is the prevailing 
opinion of Congress." 

The advice of Washington had a soothing effect upon 
the minds of the people of Vermont. He was endeared to 
them by his many sacrifices in the cause of freedom, and 
by the examples of his personal conduct during those 



Admission of Vermont into the Union. 205 

trying times. At the next meeting of the Legislature, 
held at Bennington, the communication was laid before 
them; and on the 22nd of February, it was resolved to 
comply with the preliminary requirement of the resolution 
of Congress and relinquish all claims to the territory 
described, originally attached to other districts. 

The decision of the Vermont Legislature, as shown 
ty the vote taken on the 18th of October, was com- 
municated to the Congress; the debate which followed 
was exciting and caused much hard feeling between 
the friends of the contending states. It was resolved, 
among other things, 'Hhat, if Vermont did not, within one 
month from the time this resolution was communicated 
to Governor Chittenden, comply with the resolution of the 
20th of August, and relinquish her jurisdiction beyond 
the bounds therein named, such neglect and refusal would 
be regarded as an indication of hostility to the United 
States.' ' Previous to the adoption of this resolution, the 
representatives of Vermont had arrived at Philadelphia 
and had immediately informed Congress that the re- 
quirements preliminary to the recognition of Vermont's 
independence had been complied with; the '^agents" 
contended that the former resolution passed by Congress 
was binding upon Congress, as well as upon Vermont. 
The subject, however, did not receive the attention the 
commissioners anticipated or had hoped for, so they 
returned home to consider other means of enlisting 
Congress in their behalf. 

The subject was again taken up by Congress on the 
5th of December, but instead of fulfilling its promise to 
the ''agents" of Vermont, made by the resolution of the 



206 Ethan Allen of Green Mountain Fame. 

20th of August, 1781, the proceedings were characterized 
by abuse against the people of that State for having ex- 
ercised authority over certain individuals professing alle- 
giance to New York, in violation of the resolutions of 
Congress, passed on the 24th of September, 1779, and on 
the 2nd of June, 1780. It was finally resolved, '^ that Ver- 
mont be required to make full restitution to the persons 
condemned to banishment or confiscation of property, and 
that they be not molested on their return to said District." 
It was further resolved, 'Hhat the United States will take 
effectual measures to enforce a compliance with the 
aforesaid resolution in case the same shall be disobeyed 
by the people of the said District." 

These measures completely weakened the faith of 
the people of Vermont in the wisdom and integrity of 
Congress, declared Allen, and nearly destroyed their hopes 
of obtaining redress from that body. However, a spirited 
remonstrance to the foregoing proceedings was for- 
warded to Congress by the Governor of Vermont, at 
the direction of its Legislature, in which the whole facts 
in the case were set forth in plain and unmistakable 
language, and concluding with a request that Vermont 
be admitted into the Union. In consequence of this re- 
monstrance, and other corresponding measures. Congress 
did not judge it politic to attempt to carry into effect 
her resolutions of the 5th of December. 

In the southeastern section of the State of Vermont, 
at its first organization, were many individuals opposed 
to its independence and of course friendly to the claims 
of New York. These persons eagerly embraced every 
opportunity to embarrass the State, and on several 




SIR UKNRV CLINTON, 



Admission of Vermont into tlie Union. 207 

occasions openly resisted its authority. This opposi- 
tion was principally confined to the town of Guilford — at 
that time the most populous village in the State. The 
two factions here (the friends of Vermont and those of 
New York) had each an organization of their own and 
not infrequently were there two sets of town officers. 
Between these and their friends, frequent disturbances 
occurred which not infrequently ended in bloodshed. The 
enmity of these parties was carried to an alarming 
extent during the years 1783 and 1784. Social order 
was entirely at an end, and even physicians were not 
allowed to pursue their avocations without procuring 
a permit from the several committees. In this unpleasant 
state of affairs, Colonel Ethan Allen, then in command 
of the military forces of Vermont, was directed to call out 
the militia for the purpose of enforcing the laws and 
suppressing the factional disturbances among the people 
of Windham County. In accordance with these directions, 
he marched from Bennington with a force of about one 
hundred Green Mountain Boys, and upon his arrival at 
Guilford issued the following unique proclamation: ''I, 
Ethan Allen, declare that unless the people of Guilford 
peaceably submit to the authority of Vermont, I will 
make the town as desolate as were the cities of Sodom 
and Gomorrah!'^ The ''Yorkers" were fired upon by 
Colonel Allen, and after several pitched battles the dis- 
turbers were all either taken prisoners or disbanded 
without arms. Martial law was proclaimed by Colonel 
Allen, and under it a large proportion of the property 
belonging to the tories and enemies of Vermont was sold 
for the benefit of the State. 



208 Ethan Allen of Green Mountain Fame. 

Very little alteration was effected in the government 
of Vermont for several years after the close of the war. 
After the adoption of the Federal constitution, however, 
the proceedings of Congress were viewed by the people 
of that State in a more friendly spirit. Proceedings in that 
body certainly were more conservative and had the 
effect of gaining the confidence of the people of Vermont 
by removing the aversion to a federation which Allen and 
others had opposed on former occasions. The former 
controversy with the State of New York, which had 
already caused much ill feeling, still remained unsettled, 
however. The authorities of that State were now fully 
aware that Vermont would succeed in maintaining her 
independence. 

The former Governors of New York had, however, made 
grants of extensive tracts of land in Vermont, the validity 
of which was not admitted by the government of Vermont. 
The authorities of New York did not consider that they 
were under any particular obligations to refund the money 
received for these lands — they being grants of the royal 
governors. A disposition was manifested, however, to 
effect a compromise, on just and amicable terms, and at a 
session of the Legislature held at Albany on the 15th of 
July, 1789, an act was passed appointing a certain number 
of commissioners to acknowledge the sovereignty of Ver- 
mont and adjust all difficulties which exist or had existed 
with neighboring states. Commissioners were also ap- 
pointed on the part of Vermont to treat with those of New 
York and remove whatever obstructions existed to pre- 
vent her admission into the Union. 

On the 7th of October, 1790, the following resolutions 



Admission of Vermont into the Union. 209 

were adopted by the New York Legislature: '' Resolved, 
That the commissioners for New York, by virtue of the 
powers to them granted for that purpose, declared the 
consent of the Legislature of New York, that the State of 
Vermont be admitted into the Union of the United States 
of America; and that immediately upon such admission 
all claims of jurisdiction of the State of New York within 
the State of Vermont shall cease ; and thenceforth the per- 
petual line between the State of New York and the State 
of Vermont, shall be as was then held and possessed by 
Vermont; that is, the west lines of the most western towns 
which had been granted by New Hampshire, and the mid- 
dle channel of Lake Champlain." In regard to the lands 
granted under the Provincial government of New York, 
the resolution further says: ''That the commissioners, by 
virtue of the powers to them granted, declare the will of 
the Legislature of New York, that if the Legislature of the 
State of Vermont should on, or before, the first day of Janu- 
ary, 1792, declare that on the first day of June, 1794, the 
State of Vermont would pay the State of New York, the sum 
of thirty thousand dollars, that immediately from such 
declaration, by the Legislature of the State of Vermont, 
all rights and titles to lands within the State of Vermont, 
under grants from the government of the colony of New 
York, or from the State of New York, should cease, ex- 
cepting those which had been made in confirmation of the 
grants of New Hampshire," This proposal was readily 
agreed to by Vermont and on the 28th of October, 1790, 
an act was passed directing the Treasurer of the State to 
pay the sum of thirty thousand dollars to the State of New 
York at the proposed time. In this amicable manner 



210 Ethan Allen of Green Mountain Fame. 

was terminated a controversy which had been carried on, 
with great animosity, for twenth-six years. 

The General Assembly of Vermont commenced its 
sessions at Bennington on the 10th of January, 1791; and 
appointed the Honorable Nathaniel Chipman and Lewis 
R. Morris, Esq., Commissioners to attend Congress, and 
negotiate the admission of the State into the Union. 

Accompanied by Colonel Allen, they repaired to Phila- 
delphia and laid before Washington, then President of the 
United States, the proceedings of the Convention and 
Legislature and on the 15th of February, 1791, Vermont 
was admitted into the Union, without debate or a dissent- 
ing vote. 



CHAPTER XIV. 

INCIDENTS AND ANECDOTES IN THE LIFE OF 
COLONEL ETHAN ALLEN. 

The reader has been given a concise view of all the 
principal events in which Colonel Allen was concerned, 
and it is truly gratifying to consider that in all the trying 
scenes of his life — in all the vicissitudes attendant upon a 
protracted captivity — he was never forgetful of the rights 
of his fellowmen; or the cause of liberty in which his 
countrymen were engaged. We have seen him cast aside 
the proffered honors and their accompanying emolu- 
ments of the British authorities rather than betray his 
allegiance to his contry. We have seen him adhering 
with patriotic devotion to the interests of his country 
even while her efforts were directed to crush the rising 
prospects of his adopted State. What individual then 
will deny him the tribute of gratitude or withhold from 
his memory that mysterious feeling of veneration which 
patriotism exacts from the friends of liberty? 

Colonel Allen was the author of several political and 
religious works. The former were principally illustrative 
of the measures adopted by the people of the New Hamp- 
shire Grants in relation to the position they assumed in 
the controversy with the New York authorities, while the 
latter were probably written more with a view of gratify- 
ing a desire to occupy the attention of the public than for 

211 



212 Ethan Allen of Green Mountain Fame. 

any other purpose. His religious sentiments as promul- 
gated in his writings were nearly allied to Deism, yet it is 
quite probable from the following anecdote that his real 
opinions were based upon a different creed: A Doctor 
Elliot, who removed from Guilford, Connecticut, to Ver- 
mont, was well acquainted with Colonel Allen and visited 
him at a time when his daughter was very dangerously 
sick. He was conducted into the library, where the 
Colonel read to him some of his writings. While thus 
engaged, a messenger entered the room and informed 
Colonel Allen that his daughter was dying and desired to 
speak to him. He immediately went to her chamber, ac- 
companied by Doctor Elliot who was desirous of witness- 
ing the interview. The wife of Colonel Allen was a pious 
woman and had faithfully instructed her daughter in the 
principles of Christianity. As soon as her father appeared 
at her bedside, she said to him, "1 am about to die; shall 
I believe in the principles you have taught me or shall I 
believe in what my mother has taught me?" Colonel 
Allen became extremely agitated. His chin quivered — 
his whole frame shook; and, after a lapse of a few minutes, 
he replied, '^Believe what your mother has taught you." 
It would appear from this that however much Colonel 
Allen might have indulged in the exercise of his fancy 
upon religious matters he was still in principle attached 
to the beautiful and holy precepts inculcated by our 
Saviour. 

Colonel Allen was brave even to rashness. In support 
of this position we submit to the reader the following 
adventure, related by a gentleman remotely connected 
with him. Soon after the Proclamation of the Provin- 



Incidents and Anecdotes. 213 

cial Governor of New York was received by the people of 
Vermont, in which a reward of five hundred dollars was 
offered for the apprehension of Allen, much anxiety was 
felt by his friends for his safety, on account of the many 
opportunities offered for arresting him. Allen, however, 
laughed at their fears and offered to bet that he could go 
to Albany, alight at the most prominent house of enter- 
tainment — the Tavern — drink a bowl of punch and finally 
escape unharmed. The bet was accepted. All necessary 
arrangements being made, he proceeded to Albany and 
after alighting as proposed, called for a bowl of punch ac- 
cording to the terms of the bet. It was soon whispered 
about that Ethan Allen was in the city and a large con- 
course of people collected about the Tavern — among whom 
was the Sheriff of Albany county. Allen, however, re- 
mained apparently unconcerned. Having finished his 
punch, he went to the door, mounted his horse and after 
giving a hearty ''huzza for Vermont" departed, un- 
harmed before the astonished and gaping multitude had 
time to collect their scattered senses. 

The following anecdote, derived from a source entitled 
to credit, exhibits good evidence of the singularity as well 
as the firm resolution of Colonel Allen. He was a resident 
of Tinmouth, Vermont, for a short time and was as cele- 
brated among his townsmen for acts of boldness and a 
perfect contempt of everything pertaining to cowardice 
as he had been during his previous military career. Being 
one day on a visit to a neighboring town (Middletown 
Springs) he happened in at the house of a gentleman who, 
though not a regular dentist, was nevertheless in the habit 
of extracting teeth. A woman came in suffering from the 



214 Etlian Allen of Green Mountain Fame. 

pain of a decayed tooth, but without sufficient courage to 
permit an extraction. Several times she approached the 
''fatal" seat assigned for that purpose, and as often re- 
treated. Allen, in the meantime, a very uneasy specta- 
tor, could restrain his feelings no longer. ''Here," he 
said to the dentist, "take out one of my teeth." "But they 
are all sound. General." "Never mind, — do as I direct 
you." A tooth was extracted. "Now take courage, 
madam, from the example I have given you," said Allen, 
to the trembling woman. Pride overcame her fears and 
she was soon relieved from apprehension and pain. 

An idea of the honesty and love of veracity of Colonel 
Allen may be obtained from the following anecdote: A 
certain individual, to whom he was indebted, had com- 
menced a suit against him and he had engaged a lawyer 
to attend to it, seeking to get judgment postponed if 
possible. As an easy method to effect this the lawyer 
denied the signature of the note, knowing it would be 
almost impossible for the plaintiff to prove it genuine. 
Allen, who was present, could not submit to this trick of 
the law. Walking forward through the crowd he thus 
addressed the astonished lawyer: "Mr. , I did not em- 
ploy you to come here and lie ; I employed you to tell the 
truth. The note is a true one; the signature is mine. 
All I ask of the court is to grant me sufficient time to 
meet the payment." It is almost needless to add that the 
plaintiff acceded to his wish. 

While Allen was on his way to lay his schemes before 
the Continental Congress at Philadelphia, he visited 
Bennington where the Reverend Mr. Dewey, an ancestor 
of Admiral George Dewey, preached. In his prayer Mr, 



Incidents and Anecdotes. 215 

Dewey, with much fervor, poured forth his thanks to the 
Lord for having given possession of Fort Ticonderoga into 
the hands of a people struggling for their liberty and the 
defense of their property. Allen was considerably dis- 
pleased and as the preacher continued in this strain of 
thanksgiving, the bluff old hero cried out, ''Parson 
Dewey!" The reverend gentleman gave no heed to the 
interruption. Allen exclaimed still louder, ''Parson 
Dewey!" But as the minister pursued his prayer, Allen 
sprang to his feet and roared out in a voice of thunder, 
"Parson Dewey." The clergyman opened his eyes and 
gazed with astonishment at Allen. The latter exclaimed 
with great energy, "Parson Dewey, please make mention 
of my being there. ' ^ 

Burgoyne's defeat gave Ethan Allen a welcome oppor- 
tunity to return the ridicule with which the (British officers 
had been accustomed to speak of the Continental troops, 
and he was not the man to keep silent against biting sar- 
casms hurled against his countrymen. Like Paul Jones, 
he was not the man to speak deprecatingly of his own 
merits either. He seldom lost an opportunity of placing 
himself in the most favorable position before his superiors. 
On one occasion, during his captivity, while boasting of 
the impossibility of conquering the Americans, he boast- 
ingly spoke of himself and his brothers, all of whom were 
in the Continental army, as patriots of uncompromising 
valor, saying there was never a woman who had seven 
sons that could equal those of his mother. A British 
officer tartly insisted that Allen ought to except Mary 
Magdalen, who also was delivered of seven devils. 

A man named John Redding had been convicted of 



216 Ethan Allen of Green Mountain Fame. 

supplying the British with provisions and had been 
sentenced by a jury of six to be hung on the following 
Friday. A lawyer interposed for a new trial, as twelve 
and not six must constitute a legal jury. The public 
was disappointed at the reprieve. Allen addressed them 
with an oath, advising patience, and to wait for the day 
suggested by the lawyer, promising, ''You shall see 
somebody hung at all events, for if Redding is not then 
hung, I will be hung myself." Redding was later con- 
victed and hanged within the month. 

An anecdote of a different character is told of Allen's 
sojourn in New York. Rivington, the King's printer, a 
forcible and venomous writer, had incurred Allen's 
enmity by his caustic allusions to him, and the hero of 
Ticonderoga swore he would whip Rivington the very 
first opportunity he had. How the printer escaped the 
threatened chastisement is narrated in his own words: 
I was sitting (says Rivington) after a good dinner, alone, 
with my bottle of Madeira before me when I heard an 
unusual noise in the street and a huzza from the boys. I 
was in the second story and stepping to the window, 
saw a tall figure in tarnished regimentals, with a large 
cocked hat and an enormously long sword, followed by a 
crowd of boys who occasionally cheered him with huzzas 
of which he seemed insensible. He came up to my door 
and stopped. I could see no more. My heart told me 
it was Ethan Allen. I shut my window and retired behind 
my table and my bottle. I was certain the hour of reck- 
oning had come. There was no retreat. Mr. Staples, 
my clerk, came in paler than ever and, clasping his hands, 
said, ''Master, he has come!" "I know it." He en- 



Incidents and Anecdotes. 217 

tered the store and asked whether James Rivington 
lived there. I answered, ''Yes, sir." ''Is he at home?" 
"I will go and see, sir," I said; "and now, master, what is 
to be done? There he is in the store, and the boys peep- 
ing at him from the street." I had made up my mind. 
I looked at the Madeira^ possibly took a glass. "Show 
him up, said I; and if such Madeira cannot mollify him, 
he must be harder than adamant. There was a fearful 
moment of suspense. I heard him on the stairs, his long 
sword clanking at every step. In he stalked. "Is your 
name James Rivington?" "It is, sir, said I, and no 
man could be more happy than I am to see Colonel 
Ethan Allen, the hero of Ticonderoga. ','Sir, I have 
come — " "Not another word, my dear Colonel, until 
you have taken a seat and a glass of old Madeira." " But, 
sir, I do not think it proper — " "Not another word, 
Colonel. Taste this wine. I have had it in glass for ten 
years. Old wine, you know, unless it is originally sound, 
never improves by age." He took the glass, swallowed 
the wine smacked his lips, and shook his head approvingly. 
"Sir I come — " "Not another word until you have 
taken another glass, and then, my dear Colonel, we will 
talk of old affairs, and I have some queer events to de- 
tail." In short, we finished two bottles of Madeira, and 
parted as good friends as if we had never had cause to 
be otherwise. 

Levi, one of Ethan Allen's brothers, joined the tories 
and fled with them to Canada. This greatly incensed 
Ethan and he applied to the proper authorities for the 
confiscation of his brother's property for the benefit of the 
State. Levi heard of this and challenged his brother 



218 Ethan Allen of Green Mountain Fame. 

to fight a duel. This Ethan refused to do on the ground 
that it would be disgraceful to fight a tory!'' Levi, 
however, abandoned the royal cause and became a staunch 
patriot. The following is a literal copy of Ethan Allen's 
complaint, concerning his brother: 

Bennington, County, ss. — Arlington, 9th of January 
1779. 

To the Honorable the Court of Confiscation, come, 
Colonel Ethan Allen in the name of the freemen of this 
State, and complaint makes that Levi Allen, late of 
Salisbury, in Connecticut, is of tory principles, and holds 
in fee sundry tracts and parcels of land in this State. 
The said Levi has been detected in trying to supply the 
enemy on Long Island, and in attempting to circulate 
counterfeit currency, and is guilty of holding treasonable 
correspondence with the enemy, under cover of doing 
favors to me when a prisoner at New York and Long 
Island; and in talking and in using influence in favor of 
the enemy, associating with inimical persons to this 
country, and with them monopolizing the necessaries of 
life, in endeavoring to lessen the credit of the conti- 
nental currency, and in particular, hath exerted himself 
in the most falacious manner, to injure the property and 
character of some of the most zealous friends to the inde- 
pendency of the United States, and of this State like- 
wise; all which inimical conduct is against the peace and 
dignity of the freemen of this State. I therefore prey the 
Honorable Court to take the matter under their consid- 
eration, and make confiscation of the estate of said 
Levi Allen, before mentioned, according to the laws 



Incidents and Anecdotes. 219 

and customs of this State in such case made and 
provided. 

Ethan Allen. 

Colonel Allen talked and wrote much on the subject 
of religion, and expressed his skeptical views on all con- 
venient occasions. At one time, while he was at West- 
minster, Vermont, Judge Sessions and Stephen R. 
Bradley, who were zealous Christians, were discussing the 
affairs of the Church. Allen, who entered the room at 
the time, interrupted them by an argument against the 
divine origin of the Bible. Judge Sessions, not liking to 
hear his reasoning, said, '^Mr. Bradley, I think we had 
better retire and not hear this man talk.'' Allen ex- 
claimed, '' Deacon Sessions, you belong to the church 
militant. I belong to the church military; and without 
that," he continued with an oath, ''you can never belong 
to the church triumphant." 

Colonel Allen's kindness of heart was proverbial, and 
he was always ready to afford relief to the suffering. At 
one time, two little girls, daughters of one of the pioneers 
of Vermont, wandered into the woods. The distressed 
parents with a few neighbors, commenced a search, 
which was continued through the night without success. 
The next day a large number of persons from the neigh- 
boring towns joined them and the search was continued 
till the afternoon of the third day, when it was relin- 
quished, and the people who had been out were about to 
return to their homes. Among them, however, was one 
who thought the search should not be abandoned; this 
was Ethan Allen. He mounted a stump, and soon all ej^es 



220 Ethan Allen of Green Mountain Fame. 

were fixed upon him. In his laconic manner, he pointed 
to the father and mother of the lost children, now almost 
terrified with grief and despair — and bade each individual 
present, and especially those who were parents, make 
the case of these parents his own, and then say whether 
they could go contentedly home without one further 
effort to save those little ones who were probably now 
alive but perishing with hunger and spending their last 
strength crying for father and mother to give them some- 
thing to eat. As he spoke, his giant frame was agitated ; 
the tears rolled down his cheeks, and in the assembly of 
several hundred men, but few eyes were dry. ''I'll go! 
I'll go!' ' was at length heard from every part of the crowd. 
They betook themselves to the woods, and before night 
the lost children were restored in safety to the arms of the 
distracted parents. 

Colonel Allen, who at times had resided at Benning- 
ton, Arlington and Tinmouth, at last took up his resi- 
dence on the Winooski river not far from Bennington. 
His first wife had never removed from Connecticut, but 
died there during the war. His courtship with his 
second wife was characteristic. During a session of the 
court at Westminster, Allen appeared with a magnificent 
pair of horses and a colored driver. Chief Justice Robin- 
son and Stephen R. Bradley, an eminent lawyer, were 
there, and as their breakfast was on the table they asked 
Colonel Allen to join them. He replied that he had 
breakfasted, and while they were at the table he would 
go in and see Mrs. Buchanan, a handsome widow who was 
visiting there at the time. He entered the sitting room, 
and at once said to Mrs. Buchanan, ''Well, Fanny, if we 



Incidents and Anecdotes. 221 

are to be married, let us be about it." ''Very well," 
she promptly replied, ''give me time to fix up." In a 
few minutes she was ready, and Judge Robinson was at 
once called upon by them to perform the customary 
ceremony. Said Allen, "Judge, Mrs. Buchanan and I 
have concluded to be married. I don't care much about 
the ceremony, and as near as I can find out, Fanny cares 
as little for it as I do. But as a decent respect for the 
customs of society require it of us, we are willing to have 
the ceremony performed." The gentlemen present were 
much surprised, and Judge Robinson replied, "General 
Allen, this in an important matter. Have you thought 
seriously of it?" "Yes, yes," exclaimed Allen, looking 
at Mrs. Buchanan, "but it don't require much thought." 
Judge Robinson then rose from his seat and said, "Join 
your hands together. Ethan Allen, you take this woman 
to be your lawful and wedded wife; you promise to love 
and protect her according to the law of God and — " 
"Stop, stop. Judge. The law of God," said Allen look- 
ing forth upon the fields, "all nature is full of it. Yes, 
go on. My team is at the door." As soon as the cere- 
mony was ended, General Allen and his bride entered 
his carriage and drove off. 

On one occasion Allen's temerity came very near re- 
sulting in his capture, or perhaps death. While travel- 
ing along the shores of Lake Champlain opposite Crown 
Point, with but a single companion, he stopped at the 
house of a Mr. Richards. It happened that at the same 
time a party of six or eight soldiers from the neighbor- 
ing fortress, Ticonderoga, fully armed, were at the house, 
with the intention of remaining during the night. Know- 



222 Ethan Allen of Green Mountain Fame. 

ing Allen, they determined to arrest him, and thus obtain 
the liberal reward offered by the New York authorities 
for his apprehension. Mrs. Richards, a staunch patriot, 
overheard enough of their conversation to warrant her 
in warning Allen of their designs, which she did while 
conducting him and his companion to their room. Upon 
reaching their room they quietly raised their window, 
and dropping to the ground they hurriedly made their 
escape. 

When the soldiers discovered that Allen and his com- 
panion had fled, they threatened Mrs. Richards for 
aiding the ''rebels" in escaping; but she apologized on 
the ground that if she had failed to do so, the settlers 
would have torn down her house and driven herself and 
family out of the country. 

Notwithstanding the frequency of proclamations and 
the offering of rewards for the capture of the leaders, both 
colonist and tory, it is not known whether any one was 
ever apprehended in consequence of their being issued, 
which is a proof that the people residing near the bound- 
ary lines of New York, Vermont and the New Hamp- 
shire Grants were more favorable to the settlers than 
were the appointees from the Crown, otherwise the allure- 
ments of the rewards would have been an incentive for 
seizing individual offenders, particularly as the people 
were required by law to assist the sheriffs in the execution 
of their office. Allen never denied that the conduct of 
himself and his mountaineer neighbors was properly 
called riotous, but he contended that they were 
driven to this extremity by the oppression of their tory 
neighbors; that no other means was left by which they 



Incidents and Anecdotes. 223 

could defend their property, and that, under such cir- 
cumstances, they were perfectly justified in resorting to 
this means. It has not been shown that the settlers en- 
croached upon the possessions of other people, but re- 
mained on their own lands, and if riots existed, they were 
caused by those who sought to deprive them of their 
lands by writs of ejectment issued by the New York 
authorities — appointees of the Crown. 

Viewing things in this light, Allen thought it hard that 
he should be called a rioter, afterwards a criminal, and 
lastly denounced as a felon, with a price set upon his 
liberty and life. But being brave, even to rashness, 
he was in no degree intimidated by the rewards offered 
for his apprehension, as has been shown in his visit to 
Albany, the very seat of royal and tory power and 
influence in America. As often as the New York author- 
ities issued a proclamation or offered a reward for any 
of the Green Mountain Boys, Allen and his associates 
issued one to counteract its effect, which tended to in- 
crease the hilarity of the occasion. Among the most 
conspicuous characters at Albany who either held appoint- 
ments from the Crown or served in some capacity under 
the royal governors none were held in greater contempt 
by the inhabitants of the New Hampshire Grants than 
James Duane and John Kempe, and Allen nearly 
always included the names of these two men when offer- 
ing rewards; in fact their names were ''posted" about 
every ninety days. Allen did not wish to be outdone by 
the New York authorities even in the matter of offering 
rewards for the apprehension of persons particularly 
offensive; doubtless the act of issuing rewards was never 



224 Ethan Allen of Green Mountain Fame. 

taken seriously by either party, particularly the Green 
Mountain Boys, who were without sufficient funds to 
meet the requirements of life, not to mention the pay- 
ing of rewards for the apprehension of their enemies. 
It is altogether probable, however, that the only com- 
pensation the average Green Mountain patriot would have 
accepted, should they have chanced upon either Duane or 
Kempe, would have been the thanks of their acknowledged 
leaders, Ethan Allen, Remember Baker, Robert Cockran, 
and others, and a further opportunity to render substantial 
aid in behalf of the cause for which they had sacrificed 
everything they had acquired through years of patient 
toil in the settlement of a new country. 

It was doubtless in a spirit of mockery — a satire upon 
royal and tory presumption — that, in exercising the pre- 
rogatives of sovereignty, Allen and his associates issued 
the following reward in retaliation presumably for the one 
offered by the General Assembly of New York, increas- 
ing the bounty already '^posted" for Allen to £150 and a 
proportionate increase for five others. 

ADVERTISEMENT £25 REWARD. 

Whereas James Duane and John Kempe of New York, 
have by their menaces and threats greatly disturbed the 
public Peace and Repose of the honest Peasants of 
Bennington and the settlements to the northward, which 
peasants are now and ever have been in the Peace of 
God and the king, and are patriotic and liege subjects of 
George the Third — any person that will apprehend those 
common disturbers, viz., James Duane and John Kempe, 



Incidents and Anecdotes. 



225 



and will bring them to Landlord Fays at Bennington, 
shall have £15 reward for James Duane and £10 or 
John Kempe paid by 

ETHAN ALLEN, 
Remember Baker, 
Robert Cockran. 
Dated at Poultney, 
Feb. 5th, 1772. 



CHAPTER XV. 

CHARACTER — RELIGIOUS VIEWS — DEATH. 

When peace was again restored, and the colonies, now 
united, took their places among the recognized nations of 
the world, there v/as nothing left for Ethan Allen but to 
retire to the green hills of his beloved Vermont and leave 
the settlement of international and state questions to those 
who championed the cause of freedom by voice and pen — 
Patrick Henry, Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, John 
Jay, Thomas Jefferson, John Hancock and others. 

Allen was a practical farmer, accustomed to labor 
with his own hands, and submit to the privations and 
hardships which necessarily attend the condition of 
pioneers in a new country. He moved to Burlington in 
the spring of 1787, with the view of devoting himself to 
farming, having selected for his residence the beautiful 
tract of intervale north of the village, now generally 
known as the Van Ness farm. He removed his family 
there in the course of the summer, and that was their 
home till the time of his death, which took place less than 
two years later. 

In this retirement he published a work on a series of 
topics very different from those which had heretofore em- 
ployed his pen. The book is entitled, ''Reason the Only 
Oracle of Man, or a Compendious System of Natural Re- 
ligion." It was published at Bennington in the year 1784. 

226 



Character — Religious Views — Death. 227 

The preface is dated July 2, 1782. In this preface Allen 
states that he had been from his youth addicted to con- 
templation and had from time to time committed his 
thoughts to paper. This book purports to be the result 
of his labors, revised, arranged and prepared with much 
labor for the press. In its literary execution it is much 
superior to any of his other writings and was evidently 
prepared with care and reflection. It is nevertheless, a 
crude and worthless production, in which truth and error, 
reason and sophistry, knowledge and ignorance, ingenuity 
and presumption are mingled together in a chaos, which 
the author denominated a *'system." Some of the chap- 
ters on natural religion, the being and attributes of God, 
and the principles and obligations of morality, should, 
perhaps, be excepted from this sweeping assertion, for, 
although they contain little that is new, yet they are 
written in a labored tone, and express sentiments which 
may screen them from so heavy a censure. 

Founding religion on the attributes of the Deity and 
the nature of things, as interpreted by reason, Allen took 
it for granted that there was no necessity for a revelation 
and hence inferred that the Christian Revelation and 
miracles were false. He also argued against Old Testa- 
ment teachings upon the same principles. Historical 
facts and internal evidence, the only basis of correct rea- 
soning on this subject, are passed over in silence. Tiierc 
is no proof or reason to believe that the author ever ex- 
am, ined this part of the m.anuscript after its first draft. 
It is thought, however, that he mistook some of the errors 
of Christian sects for the true doctrines of revealed re- 
ligion, and that his views, as to the reality and nature 



228 Ethan Alleu of Green Mountain Fame. 

of the system itself, were perverted by this misappre- 
hension. 

If we may judge also from various passages in this 
book, some of his biographers have not done him strict 
justice in regard to his religious opinions. Some have 
affirmed that he believed in the metempsychosis of the 
ancients, or the transmigration of souls after death into 
beasts, or fishes, and that he often informed his friends 
that he himself expected to live again in the form of a- 
large white horse. If Allen was absurd and frivolous 
enough to say such a thing in conversation, he has cer- 
tainly expressed very different sentiments in his writings. 
No person could declare more explicitly his belief in a 
future state of rewards and punishments and a just retri- 
bution than he has done in the following passages con- 
tained in this book on Natural Religion: 

''We should so far divest ourselves of the incum- 
brances of this world, which are too apt to engross our 
attention, as to acquire a consistent system of the knowl- 
edge of our duty and make it our constant endeavor in 
life to act conformably to it. The knowledge of the 
being, perfections, creation and providence of God, and 
the immortality of our souls, is the foundation of our 
religion." Again, ''As true as mankind now exists and is 
endowed with reason and understanding, and has the 
power of agency and proficiency in morals good and evil, 
so true it is that he must ultimately be rewarded or pun- 
ished according to his respective merits or demerits; and 
it is as true as this world exists, and rational and account- 
able beings inhabit it, that the distribution of justice 
therein is partial, unequal and uncertain; and it is con- 



Character — Eeligious Views — Death. 229 

sequently as true as that there is a God, that there must 
be a future state of existence, in which the disorder, in- 
justice, oppression and viciousness, which are acted and 
transacted by mankind in this life, shall be righteously 
adjusted, and the delinquents suitably punished." To 
what- extent these doctrines bear out the charge of a be- 
lief in the transmigration of souls, let the reader himself 
judge. 

It has been reported that in his youth Allen was fitted 
for college, but was denied admission on account of his 
well-known atheistic opinions. But, says the Rev. Zadock 
Thompson, I never found any substantial corrobora- 
tions of this statement, and since it is totally inconsistent 
with what Allen has said of himself, I believe it to be 
wholly unfounded. In his Oracle of Reason, page 426, 
he says: ''I do not understand Latin or Greek or Hebrew." 
And in his introduction to that work he further says that 
his knowledge of grammar and language had been 
acquired by his practice of scribbling. But notwith- 
standing these statements, I think it not at all improb- 
able that he at one time contemplated getting a college 
education, and that he dabbled a little in Latin. I was 
told by the late Mr. Jehial Johns, who died in Huntington 
in 1840, aged 85 years, and who knew Ethan Allen in 
Connecticut, that he was certain that Allen spent some 
time studying with the Reverend Lee of Salisbury, with 
a view of fitting himself for college; and the occasional 
occurrences of Latin phrases in his writings strongly 
corroborate this opinion. Mr. Johns also informed me 
that Allen was about that time on very intimate terms 
with that noted infidel and historical writer. Dr. Thomas 



230 Ethan Allen of Green Mountain Fame. 

Young, and that from him he derived his own infidel 
notions, and the principal arguments by which he de- 
fended them. 

Of the history of Allen's greatest work, his book on 
theology, even his biographers seem to be entirely 
ignorant. From information derived from various 
sources, principally from the late Mr. Johns, I am enabled 
to make the following statements, which I am inclined to 
regard as substantially true: 

At the time of Ethan Allen's youth there were in 
Litchfield County, Connecticut, and in Dutchess County, 
New York, which lies adjacent, a number of professed 
infidels, among whom a Dr. Thomas Young was prom- 
inent, both on account of his education and abilities, and 
also on account of his daring profaneness, amounting 
somxtimes to blasphemy, for which he was once prose- 
cuted, convicted and punished. Young was living on 
w^hat was called the Oblong in Dutchess County, and very 
near the Connecticut state line. At the time Jonathan 
Edwards proposed his famous theological questions. 
Young engaged in their discussion, and boldly espoused 
the infidel side, and argued in opposition to the necessity 
of a Divine Revelation. Ethan Allen had previously 
to this time been on very intimate terms with Young; 
he had spent much time at his house, and fully imbibed 
all of his infidel notions. Allen, therefore, entered at 
once upon this discussion, supporting the same views 
with Young, and spending a large share of his time in 
writing. Mrs. Wadhams, in whose family he resided, 
said some years later that Ethan Allen spent one sum- 
mer at her house and was employed nearly the whole 



Character — lieligious Views — Oeatli. 231 

time in writing. She did not know what he was writing, 
but she recollected that once when she called him 
to dinner he said that he was very sorry she called so 
soon, for "he had got clear up into the upper regions." 
It seemed to be generally understood at this time that he 
and Young were engaged in the preparation of a work in 
support of infidel principles, and that there was an agree- 
ment between them that the one who outlived the other 
should publish it. When Ethan Allen went to Vermont 
his manuscripts were left in possession of Young. The 
latter engaged, soon after this, very warmly in the cause 
of the American colonies, and became distinguished as 
a political writer. He spent some time in Albany and 
after that a while in Boston, and at the time of the com- 
mencement of the Revolution removed with his family 
to Philadelphia. In April, 1777, he wrote his celebrated 
letter to the people of Vermont, advising them to form 
forthwith a state government; for God, said he, had 
fairly put it in their power to help themselves. He died 
in Philadelphia in the latter part of the year, and his 
family returned to their residence in Dutchess County, 
New York. On Allen's return to Vermont, after his 
exile in the spring of 1778, he called upon Young's fam- 
ily, procured his own and Young's manuscripts and took 
them Vv^ith him to Vermont. These, as hie had leisure, 
he re-wrote, altered and arranged in the form of a 
book with this title, ''Reason the Only Oracle of Man, 
or a Compendious System of Natural Religion." It 
was published by Anthony Haswell in 1784. But 
a few copies of this work v/ere bound at first, and 
while the bulk of the edition was stored in Mr. Has- 



232 Ethan Allen of Green Mountain Fame. 

well's ofRce in sheets, the office and its contents were 
consumed by fire, and Mr. Haswell, to the hour of his 
death, regarded this calamity as a judgment upon him 
for being concerned in publishing an infidel work, and 
as an interposition of Divine Providence to prevent 
its circulation. In consequence of this destruction of 
the sheets, copies of the original edition are exceedingly 
rare. 

Allen took much pains to circulate his Oracle among 
the literati of America and in foreign countries. He 
sent copies not only to the learned men but to several 
literary and scientific societies of England. In a 
letter to the Hon. St. Johns, a copy of which I have 
in my possession, says the Rev. Mr. Thompson, Allen 
writes, ''I transmit to you my Theological book, styled 
"Oracle of Reason," which you will please to lay before 
the Academy of Arts and Science of Paris, by whose 
sentence I expect to stand or fall." Allen, although 
never renouncing his infidelity, changed his views, some- 
what, after the publication of his Oracle, and toward the 
close of his life he spent much time in preparing an elab- 
orate appendix to it. This appendix, in his own hand- 
writing, is now, or was recently, in the possession of 
Udney H. Penniman, Esq., of Colchester, a son of Ethan 
Allen's widow, after her marriage to Dr. Penniman. 
On the cover of this manuscript is written as follows: 

"This appendix is to be published whenever it can 
be without infringing upon my present or future living. 

(signed) Ethan Allen." 

The substance of Allen's theology may be expressed 



Character — Eeligious Views — Death. 233 

in few words. It consisted in a belief in the existence of 
a Supreme Creator and Governor of the Universe; in a 
belief that man would be rewarded or punished in a 
future state, in accordance with his doings in this life; 
that reason is a sufficient guide for man, and that a reve- 
lation is unnecessary; and, being unnecessary, has never 
been made and is not to be expected. Whether the 
'' Oracle of Reason'' was the sole production of Ethan 
Allen, or the joint production of him and Dr. Young, 
may, perhaps, never be ascertained. 

No person who is familiar with Allen's other writings, 
can read the ''Oracle of Reason" without suspicion 
that some other person was concerned in its composi- 
tion. 

Allen prided himself very much upon this, his great 
work on theology, and would not patiently brook any- 
thing said to its disparagement. A clergyman, in the 
course of his religious services, at which Allen was present, 
once read Dr. Watts' version of the 119th Psalm, begin- 
ning thus: 

" Let all the heathen writers join, 
To form one perfect book, 
Great God, if once compared with Thine, 
How mean their writings look." 

Allen hearing this and supposing the relation made with 
refere'nce to himself, is said to have been very indignant 
and to have left the house in rage. 

Illustrative of the difference often met by the historian 
in the narration of the same anecdote, the author gives 
another version of the above: Allen, who prided him- 



234 Ethan Allen of Green Mountain Fame. 

self upon his hospitality, kept an open door for the clergy 
visiting his neighborhood — professedly on his wife's 
account (his first wife being a religious woman), but 
apparently as much from his predilection for argu- 
ment and pride of his talent in a theological debate. 
At one time a Methodist preacher, says our narrator, 
came on a missionary tour into the place, who proposed 
to hold a meeting at Allen's house. Ethan readily as- 
sented and notice was sent around to the neighbors. 
However, as the people began to gather, the old hero's 
love of controversy and fun began to awaken, and he 
assured the minister very positively that if he preached 
in his house it must be out of his bible — no definite 
answer was given to the proposition — the time for the 
opening of the meeting had arrived. Allen defiantly 
laid his Oracle of Reason on the stand. The preacher 
without a remark took out a Testament and Watts' hymns 
from his side pocket; the Testament laid by the side of 
Allen's ''bible"; he opened the hymn-book and com- 
menced significantly to read, 

" Let all the heathen writers join, 
To form one perfect book — 

(pointing to Allen's work as he read, and then to the 
work of God beside). 

Great God, when once compared with Thine, 
How mean their writings look." 

It is said Allen snatched his book, with an oath, from 
the table, and the preacher proceeded without further 
interference to fulfill his appointment. 



Character — Religious Views — Death. 235 

There is also another very general anecdote bearing 
upon the theology of Allen, embodied in the following 
verses, clipped from a nameless fragment of an old news- 
paper: 

''THE INFIDEL AND HIS DAUGHTER.'' 

Suggested by reading a recent newspaper paragraph describ- 
ing the scene between the brave old Ethan Allen and his daughter 
Lorain on the eve of her death, when she asked the stern infidel 
in whose faith he would have her to die, his or her mother's: 

" ' The dampc; of death are coming fast, 
My father, o'er my brow; 
The past ^vith all its scenes has fled, 
And I must turn me now 
To that dim future which in vain 
My eyes seek to descry ; 
Tell me, m}^ father, in this hour, 
In whose belief to die. 

" ' In thine? I've watched thy scornful smile 
And heard thy withering tone, 
Whene'er the Christian's humble hope 
Was placed above thine own ; 
I've heard thee speak of coming death 
Without a shade of gloom. 
And laugh at all the childish fears 
That cluster round the tomb. 

" ' Or, is it in my mother's faith? 
How fondly do I trace 
Through many a v/eary year long past, 
That calm and saintly face ! 
How often do I call to mind, 
Now she's beneath the sod, 
The place, the hour, in which she drew 
My early thoughts to God! 



236 Ethan Allen of Green Mountain Fame. 

" ' 'Twas then she took this sacred book, 
And from its burning page 
Read hoAv its truths support the soul 
In faith and faiUng age, 
And bade me in its precepts Hve 
And by its precepts die, 
That I might share a home of love 
In worlds beyond the sky. 

"'My father, shall I look above. 
Amid this gathering gloom. 
To Him whose promises of Love 
Extend beyond the tomb? 
Or curse the Being who hath blessed 
This checkered heart of mine? 
Must I embrace my mother's faith, 
Or die, my sire, in thine?' 

"The frown upon that warrior brow 
Passed like a cloud away, 
And tears coursed down the rugged cheek. 
That flowed not till that day. 
* Not, not in mine, ' with choking voice, 
The skeptic made reply — 
' But in thy mother's holy Taith, 
My daughter, may'st thou die.* " 

With regard to the general character of Ethan Allen, 
the conspicuous and commendable traits upon which 
his fame rests were his unwavering patriotism, his love 
of freedom, his wisdom, his boldness, courage, energy, 
perseverance, his aptitude to command, his ability to 
inspire those under him with respect and confidence, his 
high sense of honor and probity and justice, his gener- 
osity and kindness and sympathy in the afflictions and 
sufferings of others. Opposed to these good qualities 



Cliaracter — Religious Views — Death. 23'? 

were his self-sufficiency, his personal vanity, his occa- 
sional rashness and his sometimes harsh and vulgar lan^ 
guage. All of these characteristic traits could be abun- 
dantly proved by well-known facts and authentic anec- 
dotes. Many have formed the opinion that Ethan Allen 
was a barbarian, a well-nigh savage, that he was cruel and 
revengeful, and as a warrior, delighted in the massacre and 
destruction of his enemies; but such opinions are entirely 
erroneous. Instead of being cruel, he was a man of re- 
markably susceptable and tender feelings, and instead of 
seeking the lives of his enemies who fell into his power, 
there is no proof that he ever took the life of a human 
being with his own hand. 

Ethan Allen, like all other men, had his good and bad 
qualities, his virtues and his vices, and these were all 
exhibited in him in bold relief, like the objects in a pic- 
ture which is well wrought and true to nature. The 
lights and shades, the beauties and deformities of his 
character stand out with remarkable prominence and 
distinctness, and it is necessary to consider all these in 
connection, in order to form a true estimate of the man. 
Those who look only at his generosity, his honesty, his 
bravery, and his unconquerable love of freedom, will 
be disposed to regard him as a paragon of great and god- 
like qualities; while others who look chiefly at his self- 
confidence, his personal vanity and his often profane 
and vulgar language, will regard him as the personifica- 
tion of vice and meanness. Allen's character, as a whole, 
was not unlike that of our native mountain forest scenery. 
It was wild and uncultivated, and at the same time ex- 
hibited much of the sublime and beautiful. We find in it 



238 Ethan Allen of Green Mountain Fame. 

very much to approve and admire, and not a little to 
condemn and despise. We are at one time surprised and 
astonished at his heroism and magnanimity, and at 
another disgusted and made ashamed by his profanity 
and vulgarity. Or, he may be compared to the stately 
oak, growing in all its luxuriance and majesty in the 
midst of our native forests, and whose form was never 
made symmetrical by the judicious application of the 
pruning knife, whose asperities were never removed by 
the hand of cultivation; the roughness and extravagance 
of his character were only the natural excrescences which 
resulted from the uncommon vigor of his growth. 

Vermont is indebted for her independence and the 
establishment of her government mainly to three indi- 
viduals; these were Ethan and Ira Allen and Thomas 
Chittenden. Thos. Chittenden was her chief magistrate, 
Ira Allen, her diplomatist and Ethan Allen her military 
chieftain. Each deserves honorable commemoration 
by the state, especially the first and last. As Washington 
was the father of his country so was Thomas Chittenden 
the father of Vermont, and as Washington was a terror 
lo the enemies of American Independence, so was Ethan 
Allen a terror to the enemies of Vermont. 

In considering the various events in the life of Colonel 
Allen, we must concede that he was a staunch friend 
of his country, a brave soldier, a good citizen and an 
honest and just man. To the poor his hand was ever open, 
and in behalf of the oppressed, his energies were ever 
directed. He was, in brief, of that class of men who 
freely offered up their all in defense of the liberties of this 
now happy and prosperous nation, and as such, his 




LOH.D CORN W ALUS. 



Character — Eeligious Views — Death. 239 

deeds and his fame are associated with all our political 
and civil privileges and blessings. 

Washington's masterly knowledge of human nature 
gives value to this brief portrait of Allen. Immediately 
on being released from captivity Colonel Allen, visited 
Washington at Valley Forge. Shortly thereafter Wash- 
ington addressed the Congress in regard to Allen as fol- 
lows: 

''His fortitude and firmness seem to have placed him 
out of the reach of misfortune. There is an original 
something about him that commands admiration, and 
his long captivity and sufferings have only served to 
increase, if possible, his enthusiastic zeal. He appears 
very desirous of rendering his services to the States and 
of being employed, and at the same time he does not 
display any ambition for high rank." 

Senator Edmunds of Vermont says: ''Colonel Ethan 
Allen was a man of gifts rather than acquirements, al- 
though he was not by any means deficient in that knowl- 
edge obtained from reading and from intercourse with 
men. But it was the natural force of his character that 
made him eminent among the worthiest who founded 
the republic, and pre-eminent among those who founded 
the State of Vermont.'' 

Colonel John A. Graham, who knew Allen well the 
last two or three years of his life, published a book in 
England a few years after Allen's death, and therein says: 
"Ethan Allen was a man of extraordinary character. 
He possessed great talents but was deficient in education. 
In all his dealings he displayed the strictest sense of 
honor, integrity and uprightness." 



240 Ethan Allen of Green Mountain Fame. 

The Honorable Daniel P. Thompson attributes to 
him ''wisdom, aptitude to command, ability to inspire 
respect and confidence, a high sense of honor, generosity 
and ki^idness." 

Jared Sparks calls him ''brave, generous, consistent, 
true to his friends, true to his country, seeking at all 
times to promote the best interests of mankind." 

Governor Hiland Hall says: "He acquired much 
information by reading and observation. His knowl- 
edge of the political situation of the state and country 
was general and accurate. As a writer, he was ready, 
clear and forcible. His style attracted and fixed atten- 
tion and inspired confidence in his sincerity and 
justice." 

John Jay speaks of Allen's writings as having "wit,' 
quaintness and impudence." 

In all the trying scenes of his life ; in all the vicissitudes 

of a long and cruel captivity, Allen was never forgetful 

of the rights of his fellow men, or of the cause of his 

country's liberty. He nobly spurned, the honors which 

were offered him to join the royal standard, as unworthy of 

the principles which governed him. He stood firm in his 

resolution to see his country free or die in its defense. The 

last years of his life were spent in BurHngton, Vermont, 

where he pursued the avocation of a farmer. Several 

letters written by him and his brother Ira during that 

period are still preserved. From them it appears that 

on account of a partial failure of the crops and the great 

ingress of settlers into that part of the country, there 

was a distressing scarcity of food, both for man and 

beast. Colonel Ebenezer Allen, who commanded a 



Character — Eeligious Views — Death. 241 

company of rangers during the Revolution and who 
rendered himself famous by many daring exploits, was 
at this time located at the place now called Allen's Point. 
He and Ethan were on terms of intimacy, and ha}^ being 
scarce in the winter of 1789, and Ethan's supply 
being short, Ebenezer told him that if he would come 
over to the island with his team and make him a 
visit, he would furnish him with a load of hay on his 
return. Accordingly on the 10th of February, Ethan, 
with his sleigh and a span of horses and his colored 
driver, crossed over on the ice to the island. Ebenezer 
invited in some neighbors, who were old acquaintances 
of Ethan's, and the afternoon and evening were passed 
very agreeably in recalling past incidents and telling 
stories. Ethan had intended to return in the evening, 
and the hay was loaded and in readiness, but on ac- 
count of the urgency of Ebenezer, he remained till nearly 
morning, when he got upon the load of hay and with his 
driver started for his home in Burlington. The driver 
called to him several times on the way, but received no 
answ^er; he did not suspect that anything unusual was- 
the matter until he arrived at Ethan's residence. He 
then went to his master and found him dead, or in a fit, 
from which he shortly afterward died. Ira Allen in a 
a letter to Levi (then in London), says, in relation to this 
event: ''I arrived at Burlington on the 12th of February 
and was surprised with the solemn news of the death of 
General Allen, who departed this life that day in a fit of 
apoplexy. On the 16th his remains were interred with 
the honors of war. His military friends from Bennington 
and parts adjacent attended, and the procession was truly 



242 Ethan Allen of Green Mountain Fame. 

solemn and numerous." His remains rest in a pleasant 
valley near the little city of Winooski on the banks 
of the beautiful Winooski river, where his grave is 
surrounded by those of many of his kindred. His 
burial place is marked by a marble slab on which is the 
following inscription: 

The 

Corporeal Part 

of 

GENERAL ETHAN ALLEN 

Rests beneath this stone 

The 12th day of February, 1789, 

Aged 52 Years. 

His spirit tried the mercies of his God, 

In whom he believed, and strongly trusted. 



CHAPTER XVI. 

CORRESPONDENCE — STATE PAPERS DOCUMENTS. 

The character of Ethan Allen is so plainly manifest 
all through this narrative, which, is to a large extent 
a memoir, that little need be said in conclusion. A few 
letters, state papers, etc., that have been overlooked 
in the general discussion may, with propriety, form the 
concluding chapter of the life story of one of the most 
striking characters that the Revolution produced. 

The following letters written by Colonel Allen furnish 
us with additional information on the taking of Fort 
Ticonderoga, which makes the incident stand out more 
vividly for twentieth century readers, few among whom 
remember little more than the name of this hero of 
Green Mountain fame: 

Ticonderoga, May 11, 1775. 
To the Massachusetts Congress: 

Gentlemen: — I have to inform you with pleasure 
unfelt before, that on break of day of the 10th of May, 
1775, by the order of the General Assembly of the Colony 
of Connecticut, I took the fortress of Ticonderoga by 
storm. The soldiery was composed of about one hundred 
Green Mountain Boys and near fifty veteran soldiers 
from the Province of the Massachusetts Bay. The 
latter was under the command of Colonel James Easton, 

243 



244 Ethan Allen of Green Mountain Fame. 

who behaved with great zeal and fortitude not only in 
council, but in the assault. The soldiery behaved with 
such resistless fury, that they so terrified the King's 
Troops that they durst not fire on their assailants, and 
our soldiery was agreeably disappointed. The soldiery 
behaved with uncommon rancor when they leaped into 
the Fort; and it must be confessed that the Colonel has 
greatly contributed to the taking of that Fortress, as 
well as John Brown, Esq., Attorney at Law, who was 
also an able counselor, and was personally in the attack. 
I expect the Colonies will maintain this Fort. As to 
the cannon and warlike stores, I hope they may serve 
the cause of liberty instead of tyranny, and I humbly 
implore your assistance in immediately assisting the 
Government of Connecticut in establishing a garrison 
in the reduced premises. Colonel Easton will inform 
you at large. 

From, gentlemen, your most obedient servant, 

Ethan Allen. 

Ticonderoga, May 12th, 1775. 
To the Honorable Congress of the Province of the Massa- 
chusetts Bay or Council of War. 
Honorable Sirs: — I make you a present of a major, 
a captain, and two lieutenants in the regular establish- 
ment of George the Third. I hope they may serve as 
ransoms for some of our friends at Boston, and particu- 
larly for Captain Brown of Rhode Island. A party of 
men under the command of Captain Herrick has taken 
possession of Skenesborough, imprisoned Major Skene, 
and seized a schooner of his. I expect in ten days' time 



Correspondence. 245 

to have it rigged, manned, and armed with six or eight 
pieces of cannon, which, with the boats in our posses- 
sion, I propose to make an attack on the armed 
sloop of George the Third, which is now cruising on Lake 
Ghamplain, and is about twice as big as the schooner. 
I hope in a short time to be authorized to acquaint your 
Honor that Lake Ghamplain and the fortifications 
thereon, are subject to the Colonies. The enterprise has 
been approved by the officers and the soldiery of the 
Green Mountain Boys, nor do I hesitate as to the success. 
I expect lives must be lost in the attack, as the com- 
mander of George's sloop is a man of courage, etc. I 
conclude Captain Warner is by this time in possession of 
Crown Point, the ordinance, stores, etc. I conclude 
Governor Carleton will exert himself to oppose us, and 
command the Lake, etc. Messrs. Hickok, Halsey and 
Nichols have the charge of conducting the officers to Hart- 
ford. These gentlemen have been very assiduous and 
active in the late expedition. I depend upon your 
Honor's aid and assistance in a situation so contiguous 
to Canada. I subscribe myself your Honor's ever faith- 
ful, most obedient and humble servant. 

Ethan Allen. 
At present Commander of Ticonderoga. 
To the Honorable Jonathan Trumbull, Esq., Captain 
General and Governor of the Colony of Connecticut. 

St. Johns', May 18th, 1775. 
To Mr. James Morrison and the Merchants that are 
friendly to the Cause of Liberty in Montreal. 
Gentlemen: I have the pleasure to acquaint you that 



246 Ethan Allen of Green Mountain Fame. 

Lakes George and Champlain, with the fortresses, artil- 
lery, etc, particularly the armed sloop of George the 
Third, with all water carriages of these lakes, are now in 
possession of the Colonies. I expect the English mer- 
chants, as well as all virtuously disposed gentlemen will 
be in the interest of the Colonies. The advanced guard 
of the army is now at St. Johns' and desire immediately 
to have a personal interview with you. Your imme- 
diate assistance as to provisions, ammunition, and spirit- 
uous liquors is wanted and forthwith expected, not as a 
donation, for I am empowered by the Colonies to pur- 
chase the same; and I desire you would forthwith and 
without further notice prepare for the use of the army 
those articles to the amount of five hundred pounds, and 
deliver the same to me at St. Johns,' or at least a part of it, 
almost instantaneously, as the soldiers press on faster 
than provisions. 

I need not inform you that my directions from the 
Colonies are, not to contend with or in any way injure or 
molest the Canadians or Indians; but on the other hand, 
treat them with the greatest friendship and kindness. 
You will be pleased to communicate the same to them, 
and some of you immediately visit me at this place, 
while others are active in delivering the provisions. 
I am, Gentlemen, 

Your obedient servant, 

Ethan Allen. 

On May 24th, 1775, Allen addressed the following 
letter to the Indians of Canada: 



Correspondence. 247 

Headquarters of the Army, Crown Point. 
By advice of council of the officers, I recommend our 
trusty and well-beloved friend and brother, Captain 
Abraham Ninham of Stockbridge, as our ambassador of 
peace to our good brother Indians of the four tribes, 
viz., the Hocnaurigoes, the Surgaches, the Canesdauguas 
and the Saint Fransawas. 

Loving brothers and friends, I have to inform you 
that George the Third, King of England, has made war 
with the English colonies in America, who have ever until 
now been his good subjects, and sent his army and killed 
some of your good friends and brothers at Boston, in 
the Prince of the Massachusetts Bay. Then your good 
brothers in that Province, and in all the Colonies of Eng- 
lish America, made war with King George and have be- 
gun to kill the men of his army, and have taken Ticon- 
deroga and Crown Point from him, and all the artillery, 
and also a great sloop which was at St. Johns', and all 
the boats in the lake, and have raised and are raising two 
great armies; one is destined for Boston, and the other 
for the fortresses and department of Lake Champlain, 
to fight the King's troops that oppose the Colonies from 
Canada; and as King George's soldiers killed our broth- 
ers and friends in a time of peace, I hope, as Indians 
are good and honest men, you will not fight for King 
George against your friends in America, as they have 
done you no wrong, and desire to live with you as broth- 
ers. You know it is good for my warriors and Indians 
too, to kill the Regulars, because they first begun to kill 
our brothers in this country without cause. 



248 Ethan Allen of Green Mountain Fame. 

I was always a friend to the Indians, and have hunted 
with them many times, and know how to shoot and am- 
bush like Indians, and am a great hunter. I want to have 
your warriors come and see me, and help me fight the 
King's regular troops. You know they stand all along 
close together rank and file, and my men will fight as the 
Indians do, and I want your warriors to join with me and 
my warriors like brothers and ambush the regulars ; if you 
will, I will give you money, blankets, tomahawks, knives, 
paint and anything there is in the army, just like broth- 
ers; and I will go with you into the woods to scout, 
and my men and your men will sleep together and eat and 
drink together, and fight Regulars because they first 
killed our brothers and will fight against us; therefore I 
want our brother Indians to help us fight, for I know 
Indians are good warriors and can fight well in the bush. 

Ye know my warriors must fight, but if 3^ou, our 
brother Indians, do not fight on either side, we will still 
be friends and. brothers ; and you may come and hunt in 
our woods, and come with your canoes in the lake, and 
let us have venison at our forest on the lake, and have 
rum, bread, and what you want, and be like brothers. 
I have sent our friend Winthrop Hoit to treat with you 
on our behalf in friendship. You know him, for he has 
lived with you, and is your adopted son, and is a good 
man; Captain Ninham of Stockbridge and he will tell you 
about the whole matter more than I can write. I hope 
your warriors will come and see me. So I bid all my 
brother Indians farewell. 

Ethan Allen, 
Colonel of the Green Mountain Boys. 



Correspondence. 249 

On May 2*jtii, 1775, from Crown Point, Allen ad- 
dressed the Continental Congress as follows : 

An abstract of the action of Congress has just come 
to hand: and though it approves of the taking the for- 
tress on Lake Champlain and the artillery, etc., I am, 
nevertheless, much surprised that your Honors should 
recommend it to us to remove the artillery to the south 
end of Lake George, and there to make a stand; the 
consequences of which must ruin the frontier settlements, 
which are extended at least one hundered miles to the 
northward from that place. Probably your Honors 
were not informed of these settlements, which consist of 
several thousand families who are seated on that tract of 
country, called the New Hampshire Grants. Those in- 
habitants, by making those valuable acquisitions for 
the Colonies, have incensed Governor Carleton and all 
the ministerial party in Canada against them; and pro- 
vided they should, after all their good service in behalf 
of their country, be neglected and left exposed, they will 
be of all men the most consummately miserably. 

If the King's troops be again in possession of Ticon- 
deroga, and Crown Point, and command the Lake, the 
Indians and Canadians will be much more inclined to 
join with them and make incursions into the heart of our 
country. But the Colonies are now in possession and in 
actual command of the Lake, having taken the armed 
sloop from George the Third, which was cruising in the 
Lake, also seized a schooner belonging to Major Skene 
at South Bay, and have armed and manned them both. 
The Canadians (all except the noblesse) and also the In- 
dians appear at present to be very friendly to us; and it 



250 Ethan Allen of Green Mountain Fame. 

is my humble opinion that the more vigorous the Colonies 
push the war against the King's troops in. Canada, the 
more friends we shall find in that country. Provided 
I had but 500 men with me at St. Johns' (18th May) when 
we took the King's sloop, I would have advanced to Mon- 
treal. Nothing strengthens our friends in Canada equal 
to our prosperity in taking the sovereignty of Lake 
Champlain, and should the Colonies forthwith send an 
army of two or three thousand men and attack Mon- 
treal, we should have little to fear from the Canadians 
or Indians, and should easily make a conquest of that 
place, and set up the standard of liberty in the extensive 
province of Quebec, whose limit was enlarged purely 
to subvert the liberties of America. Striking such a blow 
would intimidate the tory party in Canada, the same as 
the commencement of the war at Boston intimidated the 
tories in the Colonies. They are a set of gentlemen that 
will not be converted by reason, but are easily wrought 
upon by fear. 

By a council of war held on board the sloop the 27th 
inst.,itwas agreed to advance to Point Aufere with the 
sloop and schooner, and a number of armed boats well 
manned, and there make a stand, act on the defensive, 
and by all means command the lake and defend the fron- 
tiers. Point Aufere is about six miles this side of forty- 
five degrees north latitude, but if the wisdom of the 
Continental Congress should view the proposed invasion 
of the King's troops in Canada as premature and im- 
politic, nevertheless I humbly conceive, when your 
Honors come to the knowledge of the before-mentioned 
facts, you will at least establish some advantageous situ- 



Correspondence. 251 

ation toward the northerly part of Lake Champlain, as 
a frontier, instead of the south promontory of George. 
Commanding the northerly part of the lake, puts it in our 
power to work our policy with the Canadians and Indians. 
We have made considerable proficiency this way already. 
Sundry tribes have been to visit us, and have returned 
to their tribes to use their influence in our favor. We 
have just sent Captain Graham Ninham, a Stockbridge 
Indian, as our ambassador of peace to the several tribes 
of Indians in Canada. He was accompanied by Mr. 
Winthrop Hoit, who has been a prisoner with the Indians 
and understands their tongue. I do not in^agine, pro- 
vided we command Lake Champlain, there will be any 
need of a war with the Canadians or Indians. 

Ethan Allen. 

To the Honorable Provincial Congress, New York. 

Crownpoint, 2d of June, 1775. 
Respectable Gentlemen: Before this time, you have, 
undoubtedly, received intelligence not only of the taking 
of the fortified places on Lake Champlain, and also the 
armed sloop and boats therein, and the taking possession 
of a schooner which is the property of Major Skene, — 
and armed and manned it, and of the conversion of them, — 
with a large train of artillery, to the defense of the liberty 
and constitutional rights of America. You have, like- 
wise, undoubtedly, been informed that the expedition 
was undertaken at the special encouragement and re- 
quest of a number of respectable gentlemen in the Colony 
of Connecticut. The pork forwarded to subsist the 
army, by your Honors' directions, evinces your approba- 



252 Ethan Allen of Green Mountain Fame. 

tion of the procedure, and as it was a private expedition, 
and common fame reports that there are a number of over- 
grown tories in the province, your Honors will the readier 
excuse me in not first taking your advice in the matter, 
lest the enterprises might have been prevented by their 
treachery. It is here reported, that some of them have 
lately been savagely converted, and that others have 
lost their influence. If, in those achievements, there be 
anything honorary, the subjects of your government, 
viz., the New Hampshire settlers, are justly entitled to a 
large share, as they had a great majority of numbers of 
the soldiery, as well as the command in making acquisi- 
tions; and, as your Honors justify and approve the 
same, I desire and expect your Honors already have, or 
soon will, lay before the grand Continental Congress, the 
great disadvantage it must eventually be to the Colonies 
to evacuate Lake Champlain and give up to the enemies 
of our country those invaluable acquisitions, the key of 
either Canada or of our country, according as which 
party holds the same in possession, and makes a proper 
improvement of it. The key is ours as yet; and, pro- 
vided the Colonies would suddenly push an army of 
two or three thousand men into Canada, they might 
make a conquest of all that would oppose them in the 
extensive Province of Quebec, except reinforcements from 
England should prevent it. Such a diversion would 
weaken General Gage, or insure us of Canada. I wish 
in God, America would, at this critical juncture, exert 
herself agreeable to the indignity offered her by a tyran- 
nical ministry. She might rise, on eagles' wings, and 
mount up to glory, freedom and immortal honor if 



Correspondence. 253 

she did know and exert her strength. Fame is now 
hovering over her head. A vast continent must 
now sink to slavery, freedom, immense wealth, inex- 
pressible felicity and immortal fame. I will lay my life 
on it, that with fifteen hundred men and a proper artil- 
lery, I will take Montreal; provided I could thus be 
furnished; and if an army could command the field, it 
would be no insuperable difficulty to take Quebec. This 
object should be pursued, though it should take ten 
thousand men to accomplish the end proposed, for Eng- 
land cannot spare but a certain number that are disci- 
plined, and it is as long as it is broad, the more that are sent 
to Quebec, the less they can send to Boston or to any 
other part of the continent, and there will be this un- 
speakable advantage in directing the war into Canada, 
that instead of turning the Canadians and Indians against 
us (as is wrongly suggested by many), it would unavoid- 
ably attain and connect them to our interest. Our 
friends in Canada can never help us, till we first help 
them, except in a passive or inactive manner. There are 
now but about seven hundred regular troops in Canada. 
I have lately had sundry conferences with the Indians; 
they are very friendly. Captain Abraham Ninham, a 
Stockbridge Indian and Mr. Winthrop Hoit, who has 
sundry years lived with the Cachnewagas, in the capacity 
of a prisoner, and was made an adopted son to a motherly 
squaw of that tribe, have both been gone ten days to 
treat with the Indians as our ambassadors of peace and 
friendship. I expect, in a few weeks, to hear from them. 
By them I sent a friendly letter to the Indians which 
Mr. Hoit can explain to them in Indian. The thing that 



254 Ethan Alleu of Green Mountain Fame. 

so unites the temper of the Indians to us, is our taking the 
sovereignty of Lake Champlain. They have wit enough 
to make a good bargain, and stand by the strongest side ; 
much the same may be said of the Canadians. They 
have no personal controversy with us, but act on pohtical 
principles. If we evacuate Lake Champlain and retire to 
Lake George, Governor Carleton can and will by intrigue 
draw them into his interest. If we hold the suprem- 
acy we shall do the same, for cunning and power are 
but the same thing, be it exercised either by Carleton or 
by us; but cunning without power can hold no equal 
contest with that which is armed with it. It may be 
thought that to push an army into Canada would be too 
premature and imprudent; if so, I propose to make a 
stand at the Isle aux Noix, which the French fortified by 
entrenchment the last war, and greatly fatigued our 
enemy to take it. It is about fifteen miles this side of 
Saint Johns', and is an island in the river, on which a 
small artillery, placed, would command it. An establish- 
ment of a frontier so far north would not only better se- 
cure our own frontier, but put it into our power to better 
work our policy with the Canadians and Indians; or, if 
need be, to make incursions into the territory of Canada, 
the same as they could into our country, provided they 
had the sovereignty of Lake Champlain, and had erected 
headquarters at, or near, Skenesborough. Our only 
having it in our power to thus make incursions into Canada 
might probably be the very reason why it would be unnec- 
essary so to do, even if the Canadians should prove more 
refractory than I think for. Liistly with submission, I 
would propose to your Honors to raise a small regiment 



Correspondence. 255 

of rangers, which I could easily do, and that mostly in 
the counties of Albany and Charlotte, provided your 
Honors should think it expedient to grant commissions, 
and thus regulate and put the same under pay. Probably 
vour Honors may think this an important proposal, it is 
truly, the first favor I ever asked of the Government; and 
if it be granted, I shall be zealously ambitious to conduct 
for the best good of my country, and the honor of the 

Government. 

I subscribe myself. Gentlemen, with due respect, your 
Honors' most obedient, humble servant, 

Ethan Allen. 

p S Gentlemen, in the narrative contained in the 
enclosed was too materially omitted the valor and intre- 
pidity of Colonel James Easton, and forty-six veteran 
soldiers from the Massachusetts Bay, who assisted m the 
taking of Ticonderoga. Colonel Easton is just returned 
from the Provincial Congress of Massachussetts Bay to 
this place, and expects he will soon have the command 
of a regiment from that province. 

Yours, etc., 

Ethan Allen. 

Ticonderoga, the 4th of June, 1775. 
To our worthy and respectable friends and country, 
and the French People of Canada. 

GREETING 
Friends and fellow-countrymen: You are, undoubtedly, 
more of less acquainted with the unnatural and un- 
happy controversy subsisting between Great Britain 
and her colonies, the particulars of which, in this letter, 



256 Ethan Allen of Green Mountain Fame. 

we do not expatiate upon, but refer your consideration 
to the justice and equitableness thereof, on the part of 
the colonies, to the former knowledge that you have had 
of this matter. We need only observe that the inhabit- 
ants of the colonies view the controversy, on their part, 
to be justifiable in the sight of God and all unprejudiced 
and honest men that have, or may have, opportunity 
and ability to examine into the merits of it. Upon this 
principle, those inhabitants determine to vindicate their 
cause, and maintain their natural and constitutional 
rights and liberties, at the expense of their lives and 
fortunes; but have not the least disposition to injure 
molest or in any way deprive^, our fellow subjects, the 
Canadians, of their liberty or property; nor have they any 
design to wage war against them; and from all intima- 
tions that the inhabitants of the said colonies have re- 
ceived from the Canadians, it has appeared that they 
were alike disposed for friendship and neutrality, and 
not at all disposed to take part with the King's troops 
in the present civil war, against the colonies. We were, 
nevertheless, surprised to hear that a number of about 
thirty Canadians attacked our reconnoitering party, con- 
sisting of four men — fired on them, and pursued them 
and obliged them to return the fire. This is the account 
of the party which have since arrived at Headquarters. 
We desire to know of any gentleman Canadian, the facts 
of the case, as one story is good till another is told. Our 
general orders to the soldiery was that they should not 
on pain of death, molest of kill any of your people, but 
if it shall appear, upon examination that our reconnoi- 
tering party commenced hostilities against your people, 



Correspondence. 257 

they shall suffer agreeable to the sentence of a Court 
Martial, for our special orders from the colonies are to 
befriend and protect you if need be, so that if you desire 
their friendship, you are invited to embrace it, for noth- 
ing can be more undesirable to your friends in the 
colonies, than a war with their fellow subjects, the Cana- 
dians, or with the Indians. You are very sensible that 
war has already commenced between England and the 
colonies. Hostilities have already begun. To fight 
the King's troops has become a necessary and incumbent 
duty. The colonies cannot avoid it, but pray is it neces- 
sary that the Canadians and the inhabitants of the Eng- 
lish colonies should butcher one another? God forbid! 
There is no controversy subsisting between you and them. 
Pray let old England and the colonies fight it out, and 
you, Canadians, stand by and see what an arm of flesh 
can do. We are apprehensive that the conduct of your 
people before complained of, had not a general approba- 
tion; and are still confident that your country, as such, 
will not wage war with the colonies or approve the afore- 
said hostile conduct of your people, as we conceive it to 
be impolitic to the last degree, for the Canadians to enter 
into a bloody war without either a provocation or motive ; 
and when at the same time, every motive of interest, 
virtue and honor, are ready at hand to dissuade you 
from it. In fine, we conclude Saint Luke, Captain McCoy, 
and other evil minded persons, whose interest and incli- 
nation it is that the Canadians and the people of those 
colonies should cut one another's throats, have enveigled 
some of the baser sort of your people to attack our said 
reconnoitering party. We expect, gentlemen, as to these 



258 Ethan Allen of Green Moimtain Fame. 

particulars, you will in good time, inform us; and sub- 
scribe ourselves, your real friends. 

Ethan Allen, ( At present, the princi- 
, T^ i pal commanders oi 

James Easton, | "- ^j^^ ^^^y_ 

A copy of the foregoing letter was, this day sent to 
Mr. Walker, our trusty friend, at Montreal, per favor 
of Mr. Jeffers, whose fidelity is unquestionable, and it 
is wholly left with Mr. Walker to make its contents the 
most public that he possibly can, whether by printing 
it and translating it into French, etc. We furthermore 
thought it expedient your Honors should have a copy 
communicated to you. Yours at command, 

Ethan Allen 
James Eastman. 

On June 9th Colonel Allen again addressed the Massa- 
chusetts Congress as follows: 

These armed vessels are at present abundantly suffi- 
cient to command the Lake. The taking of these ac- 
quisitions has greatly attached the Canadians, and more 
especially the Indians, to our interest. They have no 
personal prejudice or controversy with the United Colo- 
nies, but act upon political principles and consequently 
are inclined to fall in with the strongest side. At pres- 
ent ours has the appearance of it; as there are at present 
but seven hundred regular troops in all the different 
parts of Canada. Add to this the consideration of the 
imperious and haughty conduct of the troops there 
should be no great difficulty in drawing the Cana- 
dians and Indians from them. Probably there may soon 



Correspondence. 259 

be more troops from England sent there, but at present 
you may rely on it that Canada is in a weak and helpless 
condition. T^vo or three thousand men, conducted by 
intrepid commanders, would at this juncture make a 
conquest of the ministerial party in Canada with such 
additional numbers as may be supposed to vie with the 
reinforcements that may be sent from England. Such 
a plan would make a diversion in favor of the Massa- 
chusetts Bay, which has been too much burdened with 
the calamity that should be more general, as all partake 
of the salutary effects of their valor and merit in the de- 
fence of the liberties of America. I hope, gentlemen, 
you will use your influence in forwarding men, provisions, 
and every article for the army that may be thought 
necessary. Blankets, provisions and powder are scarce. 

Ethan Allen. 

Ticonderoga, August 3, 1775. 
Honored Sir: — General Schuyler exerts his utmost 
in building boats and making preparations for the army 
to advance, as I suppose, to St. Johns', etc. We have 
an insufficient store of provisions for such an undertaking 
though the projection is now universally approved. Pro- 
visions are hurrying forward, but not so fast as I could 
hope for. General Wooster's corps has not arrived. I 
fear there is some treachery among the New York tory 
party relative to forwarding the expedition, though I am 
confident that the General is faithful. No troops from 
New York, except some officers, have arrived, though 
it is given out that they will soon be here. The General 
tells me he does not want any more troops till more pro- 



2t30 Etlian Allen of Green Mountain Fame. 

visions come to hand, which he is hurrying and ordered 
the troops under General Wooster, part to be stationed 
in the meantime at Albany and part to mend the road 
from there to Lake George. 

It is indeed an arduous work to furnish an army to 
prosecute an enterprise. In the interim, I am appre- 
hensive, the enemy are forming one against us; witness 
the sailing of the transports and two men-of-war from 
Boston, as it is supposed for Quebec. Probably, it ap- 
pears that the King's Troops are discouraged in making 
incursions into the Province of the Massachusetts Bay. 
Likely they will send part of their force to overawe the 
Canadians, and inveigle the Indians into their interest. 
I fear the Colonies have been too slow in their resolutions 
and preparations relative to this department; but hope 
they may still succeed. 

Notwithstanding, my zeal and success in my country's 
cause, the old farmers on the New Hampshire Grants 
(who do not incline to go to war) have met in a committee 
meeting and in their nomination of officers for the regi- 
ment of Green Mountain Boys (who are quickly to be 
raised) have wholly omitted me; but as the commissions 
will come from the Continental Congress, I hope they 
will remember me, as I desire to remain in the service, 
and remain your Honors' most obedient and humble 
servant. Ethan Allen. 

To the Honorable Jonathan Trumbull, Governor of the 
Colony of Connecticut. 
N. B. General Schuyler will transmit to your Honors 
a copy of the affidavits of two intelligent friends, who 



Correspondence. 261 

have just arrived from Canada. I apprehend that what 
they have delivered is truth. I find myself in the favor 
of the officers of the Army and the young Green Moun- 
tain Boys. How the old men came to reject me I cannot 
conceive, inasmuch as I saved them from the encroach- 
ments of New York. 

Note. — This same Jonathan Trumbull, it should 
be remembered, was the original "Brother Jonathan," 
Speaker of the House of Representatives, U. S. Senator 
and Governor of Connecticut. 

St. Tours, September, 20, 1775. 
General Montgomery. 

Excellent Sir: I am now in the parish of St. Tours, 
four leagues to the south; have two hundred and fifty 
Canadians under arms; as I march they gather fast. 
These are the objects of taking the vessels in Sorel and 
General Carleton. These objects I passed by to assist 
the army besieging St. Johns'. If this place be taken the 
country is ours; if we miscarry in this, all other achiev- 
ments will profit but little. I am fearful our army may 
be too sickly, and that the siege may be hard; therefore 
choose to assist in conquering St. Johns', which of con- 
sequence, conquers the whole. You may rely on it that 
I shall join you in about three days with three hundred 
or more Canadian volunteers. I could raise one or two 
thousand in a week's time, but will first visit the army 
with a less number, and if necessary will go again recruit- 
ing. Those that used to be enemies to our cause come cap 
in hand to me, and I swear by the Lord I can raise three 



262 Ethan Allen of Green Mountain Fame. 

times the number of our army in Canada, provided you 
continue the siege; all depends on that. It is the advice 
of the officers with me, that I speedily repair to the army. 
God grant you wisdom, fortitude and every accomplish- 
ment of a victorious general; the eyes of all America, 
nay, of Europe, are, or will be, on the economy of this 
army, and the consequences attending it. I am your 
most obedient humble servant, 

Ethan Allen. 

P. S. I have purchased six hogsheads of rum, and sent 
a sergeant with a small party to deliver it at headquarters. 
Mr. Livingston, and others under him, will provide what 
fresh beef you need ; as to bread and flour, I am forwarding 
what I can. You may rely on my utmost attention to this 
object, as well as raising auxiliaries. I know the ground 
is swampy and bad for raising batteries, but pray let no 
object of obstructions be insurmountable. The glory 
of a victory, which will be attended with such important 
consequences, will crown all our fatigue, risks and labors, 
to fail of victory will be an eternal disgrace; but to ob- 
tain it will elevate us on the wings of fame. 

Yours, etc., 

Ethan Allen. 
General Prescott. 
Honorable Sir: 

In the wheel of transitory events I find myself a 
prisoner and in irons. Probably your Honor has cer- 
tain reasons to me inconceivable, though I challenge an 
instance of this sort of economy of the Americans during 
the late war towards any officers of the crown. On my 



Correspondence. 263 

part I have to assure your Honor that when I had the 
command I took Captain Delaplace and Lieutenant 
Felton, with the garrison, at Ticonderoga. I treated 
them with every rank of friendship and generosity, the 
evidence of which is notorious, even in Canada. I have- 
only to add that I expect an honorable and humane 
treatment, as an officer of my rank should have, and 
subscribe myself your Honor's most obedient, humble 
servant. 

Ethan Allen. 

It should be said to the praise of Allen, considering 
the scenes he had passed through, that on no occasion 
did he encourage or countenance laxness in government, 
or disobedience to the laws and magistrates, recognized 
as such by the people themselves. ''Anyone who is 
acquainted with mankind and things, must know," says 
Allen, "that it is impossible to manage the political mat- 
ters of the country without assistance of civil govern- 
ment. A large body of people destitute of it, is like a 
ship at sea without a helm or mariner, tossed by the 
impetuous waves. We could not enjoy domestic peace 
and security, set aside the consequences of a British 
war and the New York strife, without civil regulations. 
The last two considerations do, in the most striking mian- 
ner, excite us to strengthen and confirm the government 
already set up by the authority of the people, which is 
the foundation of all temporal power, and from which 
the subjects of the State of Vermont have already received 
such signal advantages.'' These sentiments he repeatedly 
asserted, and even when he was stirring up strife, organ- 



264 Ethan Allen of Green Mountain Fame. 

izing so-called mobs in and about Bennington, declared 
it was in self-defence — the result of a necessity forced 
upon them by their enemies. He never ceased to urge 
submission to the laws, as essential to the prosperity 
and happiness of the community. 



CHAPTER XVII. 

THE ALLEN FAMILY. 

The follov/ing unpublished lecture, delivered at 
Burlington, Vermont, by the Reverend Zadock Thompson, 
on thej^gth day of March, 1852,Jias for us more than a 
passing interest, since it was delivered in the presence 
not only of many of the descendants of Ethan Allen, 
but many who knew him intimately. Notwithstanding 
the repetition (though in a condensed form) of the pre- 
ceding chapter, Mr Thompson's address is here given 
almost in its entirety, to which is added short sketches of 
other members of the Allen family. Space forbids includ- 
ing many of the beautiful and noteworthy tributes to the 
brave and zealous Allen by the men and women who knew 
and loved him for his zeal and devotion to his country's 
liberty, and above all, to the section in which he resided. 
The poetic tributes, many exceedingly meritorious, and 
others possessing less merit, that have appeared from 
time to time, would be sufficient in themselves to make 
a volume little less pretentious than the present effort. 
One or two, however, are given, not because of especial 
merit, but because they were written more than a century 
ago, when the name and deeds of Ethan Allen had not 
yet passed into history: — 

During the last few weeks you have had an oppor- 
tunity of seeing and admiring the first heroic statue ever 

265 



266 Etlian Allen of Green Mountain Fame. 

erected in Vermont. The subject of that statue is a name 
familiar to you all. There is no Vermonter who has not 
heard of the name and the fame of Ethan Allen^ And, 
there are, perhaps, few who have not formed in their own 
minds an ideal of his personal appearance. And, I ven- 
ture to say, that all who have long and carefully ex- 
amined his statue, will admit that the artist, Mr. Kinney, 
our respected townsman, has embodied and presented to 
the eye the ideal in a most masterly manner. 

And, while they remember Ethan Allen as the first of 
heroes, they will regard this, his statue, as alike honorable 
to him and to the mind w^hich conceived and the hand 
which fashioned it. The subject and the author of this 
statue are both Vermonters, and they are both an honor 
to our State. The one is now beyond the reach of our 
personal attentions, the other is with us, and I trust he 
will receive from us, that honor and that patronage too, 
which he so justly merits. I hope in this case at least, 
the well-known saying of Poor Richard, that " Honor buys 
no meat in the market," will not be forgotten, and that 
it will also be remembered that in this world, creative 
genius must be nourished and supported by corporeat 
as well as intellectual sustenance. 

Mr. Kinney spent some time in Burlington, in per- 
fecting the work and exhibiting his statue of Ethan 
Allen. The statue was examined by several aged people, 
who had known Allen personally, and all pronounced it 
an excellent likeness of him. 

The exhibition of Mr. Kinney's statue of Ethan Allen^ 
has led me to think that some reminiscences of him and 
the Allen family might be acceptable at the present 



The Allen Family. 267 

time. I have therefore thrown together in a desultory 
manner, a few of the materials which I happen to have 
on hand, which relate to these subjects. Whenever we 
know or hear of a man who has distinguished himself 
any way considerably in the affairs of the world, we are 
always anxious to gain some information concerning his 
origin, his family, and particularly in regard to his child- 
hood and youth; and to learn whether these shadowed 
forth those peculiar traits which were the characteristics 
of his maturer years. And hence, the first subjects which 
we expect to have presented to us in his biography are 
those of his parentage, his birth and his childhood. But 
upon none of these subjects do we find anything satisfac- 
tory in the published biographies or memoirs of Ethan 
Allen. 

They all agree that he w^as born somewhere in Con- 
necticut; but none of them seem to have any reliable 
information, either with regard to the place or the time 
of his birth. Indeed, they furnish scarcely any knowl- 
edge of him previous to his making himself conspicuous 
in the celebrated controversy between New York and 
and the New Hampshire grants. And at that time he 
was about thirty years old, and as he died at the age of 
fifty-two, near three-fifths of his life is a blank in ail the 
histories and memoirs of it. For myself, I should like 
exceedingly to see a minute history of Ethan Allen. The 
history of the last tvv^enty years of his life is all inter- 
w^oven with the history of Vermont, and is as familiar to 
the people as household words. And the characteristics 
which were so conspicuously manifested through this 
period, warrant the conclusion that there must have been 



268 Ethan Allen of Green Mountain Fame. 

something marked and peculiar in his character previous 
to his entering upon his public career. But the associates 
of his childhood and youth, have, with him, all gone to 
to their graves. And however desirable it might be to 
trace minutely his early history, it is doubtless already 
too late to obtain material needful for a full and satis- 
factory biography of him. Still I believe that something 
might yet be done to supply this deficiency by suitable 
efforts. I have no doubt that many interesting and im- 
portant facts and incidents in the early history of Ethan 
Allen, might yet be rescued from oblivion. A few of these 
which have never yet appeared in print, I am happy in 
having it in my power to supply. Having instituted a 
careful inquiry with regard to the time and place of his 
birth, I succeeded several years ago in obtaining from the 
town clerk of Litchfield, in the state of Connecticut, a 
certified copy of records in the town clerk's office in that 
town, from which I derive the following facts, viz. : That 
Joseph Allen, father of Ethan Allen, resided in that town 
in 1728, with his mother, Mercy Allen, who was then a 
widow; that or the 11th day of March, 1736, he was mar- 
ried to Mary Baker by the Reverend Anthony Stoddard 
of Woodbury. 

Succeeding these facts in the records of the town of 
Litchfield, we here give the following statement, verbatim 
et literatim: 

''Ethen Allen ye son of Joseph Allen and Mary, his 
wife, was born January ye 10th, 1737." Litchfield, Corn- 
wall, Salisbury, Roxbury, and, I think, Woodbury, Con- 
necticut, have all been honored as the birthplace of Ethan 
Allen. But the records of the town of Litchfield, which 



Tlie Allen Family. 269 

I have cited, make it certain that he was born there. 
Joseph Allen, the father of Ethan, removed with his 
family to Cornwall, Connecticut, about the year 1740, 
and in that town were most of his children born, and there 
he died on the 14th of April, 1755. 

Soon after Joseph Allen's death, Heman, his second 
son, engaged in mercantile business in Salisbury, and after 
that period his house became the home of the family. 
Joseph Allen had six sons, of whom Ethan was the eldest. 
There names were as follows in the order of their birth: 
Ethan, Heman, Levi, Zimri and Ira. He also had two 
daughters, Lydia and Lucy. Lydia married a Mr. Finch 
and lived and died in Goshen, Connecticut; Lucy married 
a Dr. Bebee, and lived and died in Sheffield, Mass. Heber 
and Zimri, unlike their brothers, never rendered them- 
selves conspicuous in connection with political affairs. 
Heber died many years ago in Poultney, Vermont. He 
had two sons, Heber and Heman. Heber went into the 
western country and I know nothing further of his history. 
Heman, the late Hon. Heman Allen of Highgate, after 
the death of his father, was adopted into the family of 
his uncle Ira. Zimri died at Sheffield, Mass. 

Heman Allen, the second son of Joseph Allen was, 
as already remarked, a respected merchant of Salisbury, 
Connecticut. He is represented to have been a man of 
more than ordinary natural abilities and of sound judg- 
ment, but cool and deliberate, free from the eccentricities 
and that impetuosity which was manifest in the character 
of several of his brothers. He never settled permanently 
in Vermont, but being engaged with his brothers in Ver- 
mont, in land speculations, he spent considerable time here 



270 Etlian Allen of Green Mountain Fame. 

about the period of the organization of our government, 
and was one of the delegates from Rutland to the con- 
vention which met at Westminster on the 15th of Janu- 
ary, 1777, that declared the independence of Vermont. 
He afterwards returned to Salisbury, where he died, 
leaving a widow and one daughter, Lucinda, who after- 
guards became the wife of Moses Catlin, Esq., for many 
years and at the time of his death a respected inhabitant 
of Burlington. After the death of Heman Allen, his widow 
married a Mr. Wadhams, and resided in Goshen, Con- 
necticut. And Mrs. Catlin, who died in Burlington 
a few years since much respected, was her daughter by 
her second marriage. 

Levi Allen, the fourth son of Joseph Allen, if he was not 
the most remarkable, was certainly the most eccentric 
of the six brothers; and as his history is much less gen- 
erally known, I will here allude to a few of the incidents 
of his life. A faithful biography of him would exhibit 
romance in real life as fully, perhaps, as that of any in- 
dividual who ever lived. It was my good fortune some 
years ago to get possession of the greater part of the 
letters, journals and MSS. left by Levi Allen; among 
which were about thirty letters from Ira Allen; several 
from Ethan and many from other prominent individuals, 
besides numerous copies which he had preserved of his 
own letters. From these and other manuscripts I gath- 
ered the following facts: He was born in Cornwall, Con- 
necticut, January 16th, 1745, and by his own acknowl- 
edgement, was a very obstinate and wayward youth. 
When he grew up, he, like his brothers, engaged in land 
speculations in Verm^ont, but did not come here to reside. 



^* 





C^^^^ ::5^V^i>*.»--, 



Tlie Allen Family. 271 

At the commencement of the Revolution, while his 
brothers engaged with ardor in the cause of liberty, and 
independence, he espoused the cause of the enemy, or 
in other words was a tory, and was advertised as such 
in the Connecticut Courant, and other newspapers, and 
was declared to be a man who was dangerous to the coun- 
try. Being detected in supplying the British ships, 
which lay at Long Island, with provisions, he was arrested 
and confined as a prisoner in the jail at New London. At 
about this time, at the instigation and on the complaint 
of his brothers Ethan and Ira, his large estate in Vermont 
was advertised for sale, agreeably to the confiscation 
act of this state. After lying in jail six months and three 
days he obtained his enlargement, but by what means it 
was effected I have not been able to ascertain. He was, 
however, no sooner at his liberty than he sent to his 
brother Ethan a formal challenge to single combat with 
pistols. I do not find that Ethan took any notice of this 
challenge, but I find Levi, in one of his letters long after- 
wards, apologizing for him by saying: "I have no doubt 
he would have fought me, but ail his friends jointly put 
in their arguments that Levi was only mad through long 
confinement, etc." Soon after Levi obtained his liberty 
he joined the British forces in South Carolina, and re- 
mained with the army till the close of the war in 1783. 
After the peace which established the independence of 
the United States, Levi Allen returned to the North, 
and being abused, as he thought, in attempting to collect 
some small debts in New England, he swore that he would 
not reside in the United States. He accordingly proceeded 
to Canada, where he purchased a house, and in 1789, after 



272 Ethan Allen of Green Mountain Fame. 

a residence of four years in Canada, he went to England 
on some commercial speculation, where he spent the most 
of three years. While there he took offense at something 
said to him by a Maj. Edward Jessup, and challenged to 
fight a duel. Jessup declined the challenge, whereupon 
Allen, in a note, proclaimed him to the world as a coward. 
I have in my possession a copy of the challenge and Jes- 
sup 's reply in the original. After Levi Allen returned from 
England he had no permanent resting place, but called 
himself a citizen of the world. And notwithstanding his 
oath to the contrary, resided for the most part in Bur- 
lington. He made several journeys to Pennsylvania, 
where he had placed his daughter for education in the 
Bethlehem school, and to the Southern states to attend 
to his land speculations. In the fall of 1801 he died in 
Burlington and was, if I have been rightly informed 
the first person ever buried in the village graveyard. 
Whether there is any stone there that bears his name and 
marks the spot where he lies, I cannot say. I once 
searched, but searched in vain, to find one. 

Levi Allen was in jail for debt at the time of his death. 
Under that interpretation of the law which claimed that 
by the removal of the body of the debtor, dead or alive, the 
debt was transferred; after his death, the village grave- 
yard was surveyed and ^4aid out " before his burial, that 
he might be interred within the limits of the jail. Thus 
all question is removed as to his being the first person 
buried therein. 

Ira Allen, the diplomatist and manager in civil affairs — 
the ablest and most successful speculator of the brothers, 
— with them at one time, claimed nearly all of the lands 



The Allen Family. 273 

for fifty miles along Lake Champlain. Ira probably did 
more toward the settlement and interests of this 
part of the country than any other man. By his 
unwearied efforts and profuse generosity the Vermont 
University was located in Burlington. He was the sec- 
retary of that well-nigh omnipotent body, the ^'Council 
of Safety," who recommended to the Council the confisca- 
tion of tory property to support the military forces 
of the state ; he was the chief negotiator with the British 
in Canada, by which a large army was kept inactive on 
our northern frontier the last three years of the Revolu- 
tion; and lastly he was the first treasurer of Vermont. 

As already remarked, very few of the incidents of 
Ethan Allen's youth have been preserved and handed 
down to our time. But from what is known of him 
during that period, as well as from all traditions, it would 
appear that he was generally regarded as a bold, spirited 
and somewhat reckless young man, possessing unusual 
energy and independence of character; and that then, 
among the associates of his own age, he put himself for- 
ward, and was tacitly acknowledged as leader, a distinc- 
tion to which he thought himself entitled at all periods of 
his life. It would appear that personal subordination on 
his own part never once entered into his thoughts. Much 
less did he feel any want of confidence in his own ability 
to plan, and execute, too, any enterprise which was within 
the sphere of human achievement. 

About the year 1762, Ethan Allen was married to 
Miss Mary Bronson, of Woodbury, Connecticut. He 
resided with his family, first at Salisbury, and afterwards 
at Sheffield, Mass. He came to Vermont (then the New 



274 Ethan Allen of Green Mountain Fame. 

Hampshire Grants) about the year 1766, leaving his family 
at Sheffield, and from that time he regarded this state as 
his home. At the time Ethan Allen came to the New 
Hampshire grants, the controversy between the settlers 
and the claimants under New York had already com- 
menced, and several actions had been brought in the courts 
at Albany, for the ejectment of the settlers, under New 
Ham.pshire titles. Allen immediately espoused the cause 
of the settlers, and undertook their defense before the 
legal tribunals. He proceeded to New Hampshire where 
he procured the necessary documents. He then went to 
Connecticut, and engaged the services of Mr. IngersoU, 
an eminent lawyer, and with these he appeared before 
the Court at Albany. But it was of no avail. 

The causes had all been prejudged without regard to 
evidence, law or justice, and judgment was rendered in 
all cases against the defendants. Allen and his lawyer 
retired from the court, which was proceeding to annihilate 
the New Hampshire titles, to the lands of their employers; 
but they were waited on in the evening by Mr. Kemp, the 
King's attorney, and several lawyers and land speculators, 
who told Allen to go home and advise the settlers to 
make the best terms they could with their new landlords, 
signifying to him that might often prevails against right. 
Allen coolly replied, that the gods of the valleys were not 
the gods of the hills. Kemp asked an explanation, but 
Allen only answered that if he would accompany him to 
Bennington, the meaning of the phrase should be made 
clear. On Allen's return to Bennington, a convention of 
the settlers was called, their grievances discussed, and, 
although the whole number who had assembled did not 



The Allen Family. 275 

exceed 100 men, they formally resolved that they would 
defend their rights by force against the arbitrary proceed- 
ings of the colony of New York, since law and justice were 
denied them. And when the civil officers of New York 
came to the Grants, to carry into effect the decisions of 
their courts, they met with a determined opposition 
on the part of the settlers, and were not permitted to dis- 
charge their duties. The leading settlers were conse- 
quently indicted as rioters, and the New York sheriffs 
were sent to apprehend them. But these officers, as the 
writers of that period observe, were seized by the people 
and severely chastised with the twigs of the wilderness. 

Ethan Allen was acknowledged everywhere by friends 
and foes to be the head and leader, the master spirit of 
the opposition to New York. He was, at all times, the 
resort and the confidence of the Green Mountain Boys, 
and the terror and dismay of the Yorkers. So great was 
their estimate of his power and influence, that the au- 
thorities of New York at first attempted to bribe him over 
to their interests, but failing in that, when they afterward 
offered rewards for the apprehension of the ring-leaders of 
the opposition on the Grants, the reward offered for Allen 
was £150, while only £50 was offered for either of the 
others. 

There seems to be some difference of opinion with 
regard to the part taken by the noted Benedict Arnold 
in the capture of Ticonderoga. Dr. Williams and Ira 
Allen, in their histories of Vermont, both state that Arnold 
with the commission of colonel from the board of war in 
Massachusetts, arrived at Castleton before Allen left there 
with his Green Mountain Boys, and endeavored, without 



276 Ethan Allen of Green Mountain Fame. 

success, to supplant him in the command of the expedi- 
tion; and that the attempt was repeated en the morning 
of the 10th of May, just before they entered the fort; but 
that the troops decided that Allen should continue chief in 
command, and that Arnold might be second, with the 
privilege of entering the fort at Allen's left hand. On the 
other hand, Nathan Beeman, who was Allen's guide to 
the fort, asserts in the most positive terms, that Arnold 
did not accompany the expedition, was not present at 
the surrender of the fort, and that he did not arrive 
at Ticonderoga till some days after its capture. This 
statement of Mr. Beeman was confirmed by the late Mrs. 
Hitchcock, in a conversation I had with her on the subject 
several years ago. Allen, in his narrative, makes no 
mention of Arnold, till after the capture of Ticonderoga. 
From the time of the capture of the garrison at Ticonder- 
oga, Ethan Allen considered himself enlisted in the cause 
of American freedom. 

In regard to Allen's services and sufferings in the cause 
of his country. Congress conferred upon him the rank 
and emoluments of Lieutenant-colonel in the service of 
the United States; but he never after his captivity 
joined the continental army. But he engaged warmly 
in support of the government of Vermont, which had been 
organized during his absence, against the machinations 
of New York; and also in carrying on the negotiations 
with the British in Canada by which the operations of a 
powerful British army were three years paralyzed and 
rendered innoxious. 

Allen was made brigadier-general of the state militia, 
and in 1783, at the requisition of the civil authority, led 



The Allen Family. 277 

over 100 Green Mountain Boys for the purpose of sub- 
jecting the disorganizing Yorkers in Guilford in the south- 
eastern part of Windham county to the authority of 
Vermont. It was on that occasion that he put forth the 
following characteristic proclamation: '^I, Ethan Allen, 
declare that unless the people of Guilford peacefully sub- 
mit to the authority of Vermont, the town shall be made 
as desolate as Sodom and Gomorrah." 

Ethan Allen was twice married. By his first wife 
he had five children, one son and four daughters, all of 
whom were born, I think, before the family came to 
Vermont. The names of these children were Lorain, 
Joseph, Lucy, Mary Ann and Parmelia. Joseph died at 
Sheffield while his father was in captivity, being 11 years 
old. Lorain died unmarried, Lucy married the Hon. 
S. Hitchcock, and Parmelia married Eleazer W. Keyes, 
Esq., and these both resided and died at Burlington. 
Ethan's first wife died in Sunderland, in the early part of 
1783, and was an excellent and pious woman. One of 
Ethan's few attempts at writing poetry was some lines on 
the death of his wife, published in the Bennington Gazette 
July 10th, 1783. 

A monumental inscription for the tomb of Mary Allen, 
of Sunderland, wife of General Allen is said to have 
been written by him: 

Farewell, my friends, this fleeting world, adieu, 
My residence no longer is with you. 
My children I commend to Heaven's care, 
And humbly raise my hopes above despair 
^ And conscious of a virtuous transient strife, 

Anticipate the joys of the next life; 



278 Ethan Allen of Green Mountain Fame. 

Yet such celestial and ecstatic bliss 
Is but in part conferred on us in this. 
Confiding in the power of God most high, 
His wisdom, goodness and infinity, 
Displayed, securely I resign my breath, 
To the cold, unrelenting stroke of death ; 
Trusting that God, who gave me life before 
Will still preserve me, in a state much more 
Exalted mentally — beyond decay. 
In the blest regions of eternal day. 

''From this poetry we might infer that Mars was no 
great favorite of the muses." 

Allen married his second wife in 1784. This marriage 
is thus pompously announced in the Vermont Gazette 
for February 21st of that year: "Married at Westminister, 
on the 9th of February, the Honorable General Ethan 
Allen, to the amiable Mrs. Lydia Buchanan, a lady pos- 
sessing in an eminent degree every graceful qualification 
requisite to render the hymenial bonds felicitous." There 
appears to have been a slight mistake in this announce- 
ment. The lady's name was not Lydia, but Fanny. By 
his second marriage he had three children, Ethan A., Han- 
nibal and one daughter, Fanny. Fanny, after she was 
grown up to womanhood, entered a nunnery in Canada, 
where she died. Hannibal and Ethan A. Allen both 
held offices in the United States Army. Hannibal died 
many years ago at Norfolk, Virginia, and his widow 
was not long since residing in the State of Michigan. 
Ethan A. Allen died in Norfolk County, Virginia, January 
6th, 1845. He left one son, Ethan A. Allen, who now 
resides in the city of New York. 

By a memorandum in the copy of the ''Oracle of 



The Allen Family. 279 

Reason" in Ethan Allen's handwriting, it would appear 
that Ethan Allen was born January 21st, 1739; Fanny, 
his second wife, April 4th, 1760; married February 16th, 
1784. Children: Fanny Allen, born November 13th, 
1784; Ethan Voltaire, born February 3d, 1786; Han- 
nibal, born November 24tli, 1787. The difference be- 
tween the ages of Ethan Allen and his second wife at the 
time of their marriage was 23 years, — he being 47 she 24. 
At the time of his death she was 29. She spent most of 
three years after his death with her mother at West- 
minister. 

Ethan Allen's third daughter by his first wife, was 
Mary Ann. She died in Burlington about two years 
after the death of her father. When Ethan Allen lived 
on the Van Ness farm, horse teams were hardly known 
in this part of the country. Mrs. Forbes says there were 
three or four families near the lake shore, where Burling- 
ton village now is, and the settlement was called the 
Bay. When Ethan and his lady visited these families 
in the winter they used to ride in an ox sled, and it was 
with an ox sled that Ethan went over to Col. Ebenezer • 
Allen's on the island for hay. She says that Ethan was. 
alive, but in a fit, when the black man with the team 
arrived at home, and that he died at his house. Mrs. 
Stephen Law remembers her father was sent for and 
tried to bleed him, but without success, and he remained 
insensible till he died. Mr. Law practised extracting teeth 
and blood letting occasionally. The funeral was at- 
tended at Ira's in Colchester, and guns were fired over 
the grave, on the Burlington side of the river. 

Heber Allen died in Poultncy. He had five children, 



280 Ethan Allen of Green Mountain Fame. 

Heber, Sarah, Joseph, Lucy and Heman. Heber taught 
school in Milton, Georgia, and went west. Sarah 
married a Mr. Evarts, and settled in Georgia. Lucy 
married Orange Smith, and lived a while in Swanton, Vt. 
After Heber 's death his widow kept house for Ira, until 
her death, about 1788. She was buried at the Falls. 
She says: "Ethan Allen was a man of remarkably tender 
feelings. The block house built by Ira Allen and Re- 
member Baker, was southwest of Ira's log house, and 
nearer the river. Ethan's fainily came to Burlington 
about July, and lived at the Bay, at Mr. Collins', till after 
the birth of Hannibal, which was in November 24th, 1787." 

In November, 1855, the Legislature of Vermont passed 
an act providing for the erection of a monument over 
Allen's grave at Burlington, which was completed in com- 
pliance with the act. It consists of a Tuscan column of 
granite, 42 feet in height and 4J feet in diameter at its 
base, with a pedestal 6 feet square, in which are inserted 
four plates of white marble, having the following in- 
scriptions, to wit: 

(West side) — Vermont to Ethan Allen — born in 
Litchfield, Connecticut, 10th January, 1737, o. s. — died 
in Burlington, Vermont, 12th February, 1789 — and 
buried near the site of this monument. 

(South Side) — The leader of the Green Mountain 
Boys — in the surprise and capture of Ticonderoga, 
which he demanded '4n the name of the Great Jehovah 
and the Continental Congress." 

A Pamphlet, the ceremonies of the erection of the 
monument, has been published . Hon. F. E. Woodbridge 
delivered the oration, which eloquent tribute was re-read 



The Allen Family. 281 

by request at the last meeting of the State Historical 
Society, February 16th, 1863. 

THE GRAVE OF ALLEN. 

" Upon Winooski's pleasant shore 
Brave Allen sleeps. 

And there beneath the murmuring pine 
Is freedom's consecrated shrine. 
And every patriot heart will swell 



As bending o'er that lowly grave 
He pays his homage to the brave, 

Then let it be our earnest aim 

To cherish every noble name; 

That ages yet to come may read 

Each worthy name, each valiant deed, 

And know with what a fearless hand 

Our fathers struck for life and land. 

Their names are many : but among 

That matchless crowd, that fearless throng 

There's one that shines for us alone, 

Whose deathless glory is our own. 

His memory then should ever be 

Dear to our hearts as liberty ; 

And while our country has a name 

Let us preserve our Allen's fame." 



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